DAVE ON A BRONCO Dave had his doubts about doing any "bronco-busting" on his own account, but he did not say anything to Roger and Phil about it.

He was not afraid, but he knew Jessie would be greatly worried if he attempted anything dangerous.
However, his chums got him up early the following morning, and, directly after breakfast, Roger led the way down to the corral.
"I am going to try it, even if you are not," said the senator's son, and insisted upon it that one of the unbroken ponies be brought forward.

The saddle was adjusted by Sid Todd, who held the animal while Roger leaped into the saddle.
The experience was not as exciting as had been anticipated, for the reason that the animal chosen by Todd was somewhat tame.

The cowboy was attached to the boys, and did not wish to see any of them run the risk of breaking his neck.
After Roger came Phil, and he was timid enough to ask for a horse "that didn't look as if he wanted to eat somebody up." Phil had more of a time of it than Roger, but managed to keep in the saddle and ride around the corral several times.
"It's not so hard as I supposed," said the shipowner's son, as he leaped to the ground, and the pony, freed of the saddle, galloped off.

"I thought I'd be half-killed." "Those ponies were not so wild as those used yesterday," answered Dave.
"Not but that they were bad enough," he continued, with a smile.
Sid Todd had remained to hold the pony ridden by Phil and had then been called away to attend to some business at another part of the ranch.