character of knight of prowess with Madge, and of Broncho Bob with the
men.

Excitement did not lack at the ranch-house whenever Kid was at home.
If he was sent to help with the milking, one of the cows was sure to
kick over a full milk-pail, knock him over with her hoof, or break
loose from her restraining ropes, charge around the corral like a wild
beast, and crash through one of the house windows or plunge in at an
open door. If he was told to house the geese and chickens for the
night, such a commotion ensued as brought the whole household to see if
coyotes had broken into the chicken yard. At sight of him the pet
Angora goats fled on their swiftest legs, with a running leap mounted
one of the corral sheds, and then sped to what they had learned was the
only place of safety, the roof of the house. And when he was not
stirring up the animals, he was playing jokes on the cowboys. Holy
John, a middle-aged, thick-witted fellow, who never knew what had
happened to him until the rest were roaring with laughter, was the
special butt of his tricks.

One evening the boys were sitting around the kitchen door talking
quietly, for Kid was off with Madge, helping her to bury a dead kitten.
Holy John sat in a slouching attitude on the doorsteps, his new
sombrero, with a stiff, curled brim, tipped far back on his head. Kid
came in through the corral and stood in the kitchen for a few minutes.
Then he seized the molasses jug and, tiptoeing very softly behind Holy
John, filled the brim of his brand-new sombrero with the sticky liquid.
It flowed out over his back and down into his trousers, and Holy John
lifted a wondering and bewildered face to see his companions breaking
into uproarious mirth. Then his long-enduring patience was smothered
in wrath, and he laid violent hands upon Kid and spanked him before