"Where are the saddles, Madam?" he asked calmly, though his blood
moved faster.

"On the pegs behind you,"--becoming interested. "Do you really intend
to ride him?"

"With your permission."

"I warn you that the risk you are running is great."

"I am not afraid of Pirate, Madam," in a tone which implied that he
was not afraid of any horse living. The spirit of antagonism rose up
in him, that spirit of antagonism of the human against the animal,
that eternal ambition of the one to master the other. And besides,
I'm not sure that James didn't want to show off before the girl--
another very human trait in mankind. For my part, I wouldn't give
yesterday's rose for a man who wouldn't show off once in a while,
when his best girl is around and looking on.

"On your head be it, then,"--a sudden nervousness seizing her. Yet
she was as eager to witness the encounter as he was to court it.
"William!" she called. The stable-boy entered, setting aside his
broom. "This is James, the new groom. Help him to saddle Pirate."

"Saddle Pirate, Miss Annesley!" cried the boy, his mouth open and his
eyes wide.

"You see?" said the girl to Warburton.

"Take down that saddle with the hooded stirrups," said Warburton,