"I won't, Dade, if you'd rather I didn't." "Don't be a blamed idiot.

You know I want you to go ahead and use him; only--I'd hate to see him hurt." To Dade the words seemed to be wrenched from the very fibers of his friendship.

He loved that horse more than he had ever believed he could love an animal; and he was mentally sacrificing him to Jack's need.
Jack went up and rubbed Surry's nose playfully; and it cost Dade a jealous twinge to see how the horse responded to the touch.
"He won't get hurt.

I've taught him how to take care of himself; haven't I, Diego ?" And he put the statement into Spanish, so that the peon could understand.
"Si, he will never let the riata touch him, Senor.

Truly, it is well that he will come at the call, for otherwise he would never again he caught!" Diego grinned, checked himself on the verge of venturing another comment, and tilted his head sidewise instead, his ears perked toward the medley of fiesta sounds outside.
"Listen, Senors! That is not the squeal of carts alone, which I hear.