The minute the blinder's off he'll up on his hind legs and bash you into the floor with his forefeet." "Let him go," growled one of the cowboys.

"He's goin' to hell making a gallery play." But taking the matter into his own hands Woodbury snatched the coat from the head of the stallion, which snorted and reared up, mouth agape ears flattened back.

There was a shout from the man, not a cry of dismay, but a ringing battle yell like some ancient berserker seeing the first flash of swords in the melee.

He leaped forward, jerking down on the bridle reins with all the force of his weight and his spring.

The horse, caught in mid-air, as it were, came floundering down on all fours again.