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Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 78

“He will make a great rider some day,” said Sandy to himself; “ and I am going to teach him.”

Jimmy was small and slight, but Sandy liked his bright, twinkling eyes and soft voice, for in his wise, little head Sandy knew that Jimmy loved all horses. He liked to feel Jimmy’s firm, little hands on the reins, and smiled to himself as he felt the hands well down on his neck. He smiled, too, as he felt the firm, little seat, the pressure at the knees, and the easy balance in the stirrups. But most of all he loved Jimmy’s clear, quick eye. “ A born rider,” said Sandy to himself, “ and a plucky one. 11l have to ta ch him well.” Jimmy rode Sandy every day, and Sandy used all his wits to improve the boy’s riding. A quick shy when he felt Jimmy’s seat looser, an occasional runaway gallop when he felt the reins slacken, and sometimes a bucking match that threw Jimmy over his head. “ He must learn to sit and learn to fall,” said Sandy, and he bucked and twisted and turned until Jimmy could sit in the saddle without moving. He jumped fences, “ taking off ” well, running in close and jumping high, tipping the top rail, baulking, until Jimmy learnt to master every trick. And Sandy was pleased with the boy—pleased with his keenness and his pluck and his horsemanship. Soon, buck and jump as the pony might, the little figure never moved from the saddle. “He could keep a threepenny-bit under him,” said Sandy with pride. But one morning Jimmy’s 'eyes were no longer bright, his cheeks were tearstained, and his lips quivered. Slowly he saddled his pony, then leant against his neck and wepC “ Sandy, dear, you’ve got to be sold. Bob Maguire’s father will give dad £l5 for you, and dad wants the money—and Bob will ride you! Why haven't I got £l5, and I could buy you myself.” Sandy pricked up his ears. Belong to Bob Maguire, whose arms and legs flopped when he rode! Not if he could help it! “This is our last ride, old man,” said Jimmy sadly. “ I don’t care where we go,” and he "left Sandy’s reins slack. Sandy thought, and thought quickly, then trotted to the village. A circus had arrived there the night before, add Sandy stopped under a big notice. Jimmy looked up and read: Famous Buckjumper! Fifteen pounds for any Person Riding Bucking Broncho for Three Minutes. Step Inside and Show Your Skill! Jimmy looked again. Fifteen pounds Would buy Sandy. Ix. eyes brightened.