His furious snarling was the threat which urged on the stallion.
CHAPTER XXVI
BLACK BART TURNS NURSE
It was old Mrs. Daniels who woke first at the sound of scratching and
growling. She roused her husband and son, and all three went to the
door, Buck in the lead with his six-gun in his hand. At sight of the
wolf he started back and raised the gun, but Black Bart fawned about
his feet.
"Don't shoot--it's a dog, an' there's his master!" cried Sam. "By the
Lord, they's a dead man tied on that there hoss!"
Dan lay on Satan, half fallen from the saddle, with his head hanging
far down, only sustained by the strength of the rein. The stallion,
wholly spent, stood with his legs braced, his head low, and his breath
coming in great gasps. The family ran to the rescue. Sam cut the rein
and Buck lowered the limp body in his arms.
"Buck, is he dead?" whispered Mrs. Daniels.
"I don't feel no heart beat," said Buck. "Help me fetch him into the
house, Dad!"
"Look out for the hoss!" cried Sam.
Buck started back with his burden just in time, for Satan,
surrendering to his exhaustion, pitched to the ground, and lay with
sprawling legs like a spent dog rather than a horse.
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