Page:The romance of Runnibede (IA romanceofrunnibe00rudd).pdf/55

have horses! And when I think back, how much superior in spirit those ponies were to ourselves, dumb and subordinated and all as they were! 'Twas with their heels, not with their hearts, that they should often enough have greeted us young beggars. And if we had been allowed to have everything our own way, I fancy those ponies would never have, been out of the stalls, except when they had us on their backs. What cricket, "footy," hoops, pictures, shop windows, cigarettes, chew gum and the rest are to city youths, so is the horse to the bush youngster. So we talked patronisingly to them: patted and stroked them from nose to heels, as we thrilled with the pride of ownership and fancied heroism. Then we took down our spurs from the rafters, where they were kept in hiding, and buckled them with care and pride to the heels of our boots. Our spurs were old, rusty pairs that had been discarded by the stockmen; but the rowels that were still in them were sharp enough to make those ponies fairly jump out of their skins. And on occasions they'd draw blood, too.

Having adjusted my spurs so that they wouldn't, turn back to front, or drop off, I thought I'd give White Wings a drink before saddling her. And what a model saddle I had for a kid, too! English, made it was, of course. A steel tree, pigskin seat, small knee pads and thigh pads; strong and light, and with a double girth and sureingle. And Ted's was of similar pattern. Gad, when I think of it, how indulgent the old Governor was with us boys. Lots of youths in the bush to-day are glad enough to ride