Beside the splendidly developed young woman, Ollie Stewart
appeared but a weakling. His shoulders were too narrow and he
stooped; his limbs were thin; his hair black and straight; and his
eyes dull.

As Young Matt stepped forward, Ollie dismounted quickly, but the
big fellow was first at the brown pony's side. Sammy's eyes shone
with admiration, and, as the strong man felt their light, he was
not at all sorry that he had won the mule colt for Buck.

"No," she said, declining his offered assistance; she did not wish
to get down; they were going to the postoffice and would call for
the meal on their way home.

Young Matt lifted the sack of corn from Brownie's back and carried
it into the shed. When he returned to the group, Ollie was saying
in his thin voice, "In th' circus I seen in the city there was a
feller that lifted a man, big as Jed here, clean above his head
with one hand."

Buck turned to his big friend. His look was met by a grim smile
that just touched the corners of the lad's mouth, and there was a
gleam in the blue eyes that betrayed the spirit within. The lean
mountaineer again turned to the company, while the boy glanced at
Sammy. The girl was watching him and had caught the silent
exchange between the two friends.

"Shucks!" said Buck; "Matt could do that easy." "Try it, Matt."
"Try Jed here." "Try hit once," called the chorus.