Chapter IX

The Second Great Lesson

Next morning Pat, imprisoned in a tiny
stable, tried to get out by thrusting his head
against the door. But the door would not give.
Alone in semi-darkness, therefore, he spent the day.
Twice a Mexican youth came to feed and water
him, but always the quantity was insufficient,
and always the boy carefully locked the door after
him. Because of this, together with the poor
ventilation, Pat became irritable. He longed for
the freedom of the big corral -- its sunlight, the
visits of his mistress -- but these were steadfastly
denied him. And so through another night and
another day, until he became well-nigh distracted.
He stamped the floor, fought flies, dozed, dreamed
strange dreams, stamped the floor again. After
three days of this, sounds outside told him of the
return of man and horses. But not till the next
morning, and then quite late, was he released from
the odious confinement.

Felipe bustled in, all eager for business. He
drove his recent acquisition out into the corral
and set to work harnessing one of the team -- the
mate of the aged mare. When she was bridled

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