for the man that's in the saddle, though the cowboys
know how to ride most bucking broncos, that are really sort of wild
horses."

"I'd like to see 'em!" cried Teddy.

"You may," promised his uncle. "The cowboys have a bucking bronco out in
the corral and they're taking turns trying to ride him. Come along if
you want to see the fun."

It was fun, but some hard work, too, for one after another the cowboys
fell out of the saddle of the bucking bronco as they tried to ride him.

Now and then one would stay on the wild animal's back longer than had
any of his friends, not falling when the bronco leaped up in the air and
came down with his legs as stiff as those of an old fashioned piano.

"Ki-yi! Yippi-i-yip!" yelled the cowboys, as they dashed about on the
bucking bronco, swinging their hats or their quirts, which are
short-handled whips, in the air over their heads.

They did not mind being thrown, and each one tried to ride the wild
bronco. None could stay in the saddle more than a few minutes at a time
though.

"Well, I guess I'll have to ride that animal myself," said Jim Mason,
when all the other cowboys had tried and had fallen or jumped from the
saddle. The foreman was a fine rider. "Yes, I guess I can ride that
bronco," he said.

"Give the pony a chance to get his breath," suggested one of the
cowboys. "I don't reckon you can ride him though, Jim."

"I'll try," was the answer.

The bronco was led to a corner of the corral, or stable yard, and tied.
Then the foreman made ready to try to stay in the saddle longer than
had any of his men, for when a bronco bucks it is like trying to hold on
to a swing that is turning topsy-turvy.

Suddenly, as Teddy and Janet were looking at some of the funny tricks
the cowboys were playing on one another, Uncle Frank gave a cry.

"Look at Trouble!" he exclaimed.

Baby William had crawled through the fence and was close to the
dangerous heels of the bucking bronco.

CHAPTER XIII

MISSING CATTLE

For a moment none of the cowboys made a move. They were too frightened
at what might happen to Trouble. If it had been one of their own friends
who had gone into the corral where the dangerous bronco was standing,
they would have known what to do.

They would have called for him to "Look out!" and the cowboy would have
kept away from the animal. But it was different with Trouble. To him one
horse was like another. He liked them all, and he never thought any of