CHAPTER IV.

At the corral.

In the beginning of the morning, when Granite Mountain’s fortress-like battlements and towers loomed gray and bold and grim, the big bay horse trumpeted a warning to his less watchful mates.  Instantly, with heads high and eyes wide, the band stood in frightened indecision.  Two horsemen—­shadowy and mysterious forms in the misty light—­were riding from the corral into the pasture.

As the riders approached, individuals in the band moved uneasily, starting as if to run, hesitating, turning for another look, maneuvering to put their mates between them and the enemy.  But the bay went boldly a short distance toward the danger and stood still with wide nostrils and fierce eyes as though ready for the combat.

For a few moments, as the horsemen seemed about to go past, hope beat high in the hearts of the timid prisoners.  Then the riders circled to put the band between themselves and the corral gate, and the frightened animals knew.  But always as they whirled and dodged in their attempts to avoid that big gate toward which they were forced to move, there was a silent, persistent horseman barring the way.  The big bay alone, as though realizing the futility of such efforts and so conserving his strength for whatever was to follow, trotted proudly, boldly into the corral, where he stood, his eyes never leaving the riders, as his mates crowded and jostled about him.

“There’s one in that bunch that’s sure aimin’ to make you ride some,” said Curly Elson with a grin, to Phil, as the family sat at breakfast.

On the Cross-Triangle the men who were held through the summer and winter seasons between the months of the rodeos were considered members of the family.  Chosen for their character, as well as for their knowledge of the country and their skill in their work the Dean and “Stella,” as Mrs. Baldwin is called throughout all that country, always spoke of them affectionately as “our boys.”  And this, better than anything that could be said, is an introduction to the mistress of the Cross-Triangle household.

At the challenging laugh which followed Curly’s observation, Phil returned quietly with his sunny smile, “Maybe I’ll quit him before he gets good and started.”

“He’s sure fixin’ to make you back the decision of them contest judges,” offered Bob Colton.

And Mrs. Baldwin, young in spirit as any of her boys, added, “Better not wear your medal, son.  It might excite him to know that you are the champion buster of Arizona.”

“Shucks!” piped up Little Billy excitedly, “Phil can ride anything what wears hair, can’t you, Phil?”