"That's just what it is, as sure as anything!" Bob declared, his whole
frame quivering with indignation at the thought of anyone being so
cruel and treacherous; "but how in the wide world am I going to get at
the thing?"
His first impulse was to ease the strain all he could by removing his
weight from the point where he believed the thorn to have been hidden.
This he did by leaning forward after the manner of a clever jockey in a
race, throwing pretty much all his body upon the shoulders and neck of
the horse.
Then he again began to speak soothingly in the ear of Domino. By
degrees the horse seemed to slacken his wild pace.
Encouraged by this fact, Bob continued the treatment. It appeared as
though the intelligent animal must comprehend what was wanted, for,
although evidently still in more or less pain, he gradually ceased his
runaway gait, until, finally, at the command of "whoa!" Domino came to
a complete stop.
Bob was on the ground immediately. His horse was trembling with
excitement and other causes. Bob continued to pat him gently, and
speak soothing words. All the time he was working toward the buckle of
the band by means of which the saddle was held firmly on the beast's
back.
Once he had a grip on this he made a sudden pull. Domino squirmed, and
for the moment Bob feared the animal would break away.
"Easy now, old fellow; take it quiet! I'll have that saddle off in a
jiffy; and see what is wrong.
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