at a dramatic effect
would be useful to him now, and he decided to temporize a little in
order that the culmination might be greater.

"It has been my business," he said, "to try and sell horses, not to ride
them."

Both officers laughed derisively.

"Prince Karl of Auersperg likes bold men around him," said the one who
had dismounted, "and he would not care for a hostler who was afraid of
his own horses."

John, despite the fact that he had invited it, was stung somewhat by the
taunt.

"While I said it was not my business to ride horses I didn't say I
couldn't ride them," he replied.

"Then up with you and prove it."

John seized the bridle, and as the great black horse, feeling the touch
of an unfamiliar hand, pulled away from him, he made one leap and was in
the saddle. He felt in an instant from the fierce quiver running through
the mighty frame that he had a demon beneath him. The Austrians, who
doubtless had not expected him to accept the challenge, were alarmed and
the younger, whose name John afterward learned to be Pappenheim,
shouted:

"Jump off! He'll kill you!"

John had no notion of leaving the saddle, either willingly or
unwillingly. He believed that after his training by the cowboys he could
ride anything, and when he felt the great frame draw itself together he
was ready. He saw too that he could make capital. He would impress these
volatile Austrians and at the same time he would recommend himself as an
expert horsemen to Prince Karl of Auersperg.

The black horse made a series of mighty jumps, any one of which would
have sent a novice flying, but the trained rider on his back knew
instinctively which way he was going to leap, and swayed easily every
time. Then panting, and mad with anger and fury, the horse rushed down
the road. John pulled hard on the bridle to keep him from stumbling. He
heard the two Austrians behind him shouting, and the one on horseback
pursuing, but he did not look back.

When the horse had gone three or four hundred yards he pulled harder on
the bit, and gradually turned him about in the road. Then he raced him
back up the hill, a most exhausting proceeding for any animal however
strong. Then the horse began to jump and kick again, but he could not
shake off his incubus. A side glance by John showed that young
Pappenheim was standing among the trees by the roadside well out of the
way and that the mounted officer had also drawn back among the trees.

He felt tha