Browning first turned to the stranger who was coiling up his lariat on the saddle’s horn, and said:  “That was a good morning’s work, my friend; had that mad horse crashed into the vehicles ahead, he would have killed some one.”

“I wur afeerd of that, stranger, and that’s what made me think he orter be stopped,” said the horseman.

Sedgwick wheeled quickly round when he heard the man’s voice, and, looking up, cried:  “Hello, Jordan, how did you leave the boys on the Brazos?”

The man gave one look; then, springing from his horse, he rushed to Sedgwick, and throwing both arms around him broke out with:  “Why, Jim; bless my broad-horned heart, but I’m glad ter see yo’!  How in kingdom cum did yo’ get heah?” Then he caught both his hands and wrung them, all the time exclaiming:  “Blame me, but I’m glad.  This is the fust luck I’ve had in the Kingdom.  Jim, is it sho nuff you?” And he danced like a lunatic.  And Sedgwick, if not quite so demonstrative, was quite as much rejoiced.

When they quieted down a little, Sedgwick said:  “Jordan, I have some friends here whom I want to present to you.”

His face sobered in a moment.  “I forgot, Jim,” he said, “thet any one war heah savin’ ourselves.  They must think us two ’scaped lunertics.”

“That’s all right, Jordan,” said Sedgwick, and he formally presented his friend to the ladies and to Browning.

The ladies told him how grateful they were that he was near to prevent any damage by the fleeing horse, and how glad they were to see the actual picture of how a wild horse is caught.

Jordan blushed like a girl.  “It war nothin’, ladies,” he said; “only it seemed like it war necessawy sunthin’ should be done, and right soon.  So I interfeerd as well’s I could.”

“Where the mischief did you get that rig, Jordan?” asked Sedgwick.

“I brung it with me from ther old ranch; that is, all but the hoss.  I didn’t know but I mighter want ter ride, and I knowd I couldn’t sit an English saddle a minit.”

“And why did you come away, Jordan?” asked Sedgwick.

His face saddened for a moment, and then he smiled and said:  “I got tired of ranchin’, sold out; but why I come here I’ve no idee, ’cept it might o’ been to stop that thar hoss.”

“It was a good idea, anyway, and we are all glad you came,” said Rose.  “We started to see the great race, and we have seen a greater one,” and she smiled as she spoke, until the dark man again colored and said:  “Indeed, Miss, it war nothin’.”

But the procession grew denser every moment; so Jordan mounted his horse again and rode beside the carriage, and a running conversation was kept up all the way to the great race track.

Jordan was exceedingly interested in the colts as they were brought upon the track.

“They is thoroughbreds, shore.  They is beauties,” he kept exclaiming; and as they were stripped for the race, he picked out the one he thought ought to win, and offered to wager hats with Sedgwick and Browning and gloves with the ladies that his favorite would win.