The first was soft dead black, the other glittering black, and they were perfectly matched in size, both being high and long-bodied, wide through the shoulders, with lithe, powerful legs.

That they were a woman's pets showed in the gloss of skin, the fineness of mane.

It showed, too, in the light of big eyes and the gentle reach of eagerness.
"I never seen their like," was Lassiter's encomium, "an' in my day I've seen a sight of horses.

Now, ma'am, if you was wantin' to make a long an' fast ride across the sage--say to elope--" Lassiter ended there with dry humor, yet behind that was meaning.

Jane blushed and made arch eyes at him.
"Take care, Lassiter, I might think that a proposal," she replied, gaily.