“Ye’re going to become a good rider—­that is, in the course of twenty or thirty years,” remarked Mickey, who had been watching his young friend closely, “if ye practice aich day in those thirty years; but I want you to observe my shtyle—­note how complately I bring the animal under, how docile he becomes, how mild, how gentle, how lamblike.”

And with these rather pompous observations, he laid his hand upon the mane of his mustang, and at one bound bestrode him, catching the lariat after the manner of one who was determined to have no nonsense about it.

“Now note how quick I’ll subdue him, how afeard he’ll be, you can’t goad him into trying to throw me.  Talk about Rarey breaking that old horse Cruiser, that used to ate his keeper every day for breakfast, he couldn’t compare wid mesilf.”

Before Mickey had time to finish his observation, the heels of the mustang went up almost perpendicularly in the air, and with such suddenness that Mickey was thrown a dozen feet over his head, alighting upon his hands and knees.

Fred was amused beyond expression at the discomfiture of his boasting friend, who was not a little astonished at the manner in which he had been overthrown.

“Turns up,” he said, as he gathered himself on his feet again, “that I was a little mistook.  Such accidents will happen now and then, and it isn’t very kind for a spalpeen like yourself to laugh at me sorrow.”

“I can’t help it, Mickey, but I’m afraid I can’t stick to the back of this horse.  He seems scared and mad, and his back feels mighty slippery without any saddle or blanket.”

“Maybe, if I get on wid ye, the weight of us both will hold him down.”

The mustang which hard thrown the Irishman continued to flourish his heels and disport himself in such a lively style, that his spirit became contagious, and the four, who were yet upon the ground, now came to their feet, and after some plunging and rearing, made a rush down the slope, and were soon out of sight.

The animal ridden by the lad showed a disposition to join them, but the rider resisted, and managed to hold him, until at the opportune moment, Mickey placed himself on his back, and, as he was really a good horseman, and used vigorous means, he speedily managed to bring him under control.  Turning his head toward the ridge, they started him forward, pausing near the mouth of the cavern long enough to gather up one of the blankets lying there, as it was likely to be useful at no distant time.

CHAPTER XI.

Through the mountains.

The moon was high in the sky, and it was near midnight.  O’Rooney, who had taken upon himself the task of guiding the mustang, continued him on up the ridge, directly toward the spot where Fred had lain so long watching the action of the Apaches gathered around the opening of the cave.