ting it to test. He hurriedly bridled the aged
mare and led her out into the trail. He placed
her alongside the black -- for reasons which, had
the _compadre_ Franke been present, Felipe might
have suggested with a crafty wink -- then hastily
began to unhitch the team-mate. And it was just
here that he proved his foresight. In the work of
unhitching the mate, he should have encountered,
and had expected, trouble from the black. But
he did not. The mare sounded another friendly
nicker when arranged beside him, and the black,
pricking up his ears sharply, turned to her and
proceeded to establish his friendship by licking
her. So Felipe did not meet with difficulty from
that direction; nor did he have trouble in the
direction of the team-mate herself. She seemed
glad to be relieved from her unsuccessful task,
and Felipe, glad to relieve her in the light of his
brilliant idea, led her off to one side quickly, then
returned and swung the old mare into her place.
He hitched her up, picked up the reins and whip,
and set about with his test.

"We see now," he began, his voice quiet and
encouraging. "Maybe you work wit' thee old
woman! We see!" And he gave a low command.

With the command Pat started forward, urged
to it by the aged mare -- pulling more than his
share of the load. Perhaps it was due to her presence;
perhaps to the note of kindness in Felipe's
voice. At any rate, he moved, and he moved
forward, and he moved with a steady pull. Yet
he did not proceed far. Though he did not stop

[[108]]

p107 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p108w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p109

v?