"I'm rather glad you said that.

But I'm going to ride him just the same." They looked at him in amazement, for it was clear to them now that the man really could not ride.
The Dean spoke kindly.

"Why ?" "Because," said Patches slowly, "I am curious to see what I will do under such circumstances, and if I don't try the experiment now I'll never know whether I have the nerve to do it or not." As he finished he turned and walked deliberately toward the horse.
Phil ran to Curly's side, and the cowboy at his foreman's gesture leaped from his saddle.

The young man mounted his helper's horse, and with a quick movement caught the riata from the saddle horn and flipped open a ready loop.
The stranger was close to the bay's off, or right, side.
"The other side, Patches," called Phil genially.

"You want to start in right, you know." Not a man laughed--except the stranger.
"Thanks," he said, and came around to the proper side.
"Take your time," called Phil again.