Page:Patches (1928).pdf/48

 "Excuse me, gentlemen, I mean gents," corrected Larry. "You see I don't know your customs and I will have to learn them."

"Why, of course," put in Big Bill, "you will learn in no time. We are kind of different out here, we has our ways and we sticks by them."

"What kind of hosses did this air major of your'n ride?" inquired Texas Pete. "Was they bronchos or was they high-bred stock?"

"They surely were not bronchos," replied Larry. "The most of them were saddle horses, but some were polo ponies and they were often good jumpers. Major Winterby usually got first prize at the great Eastern States Exposition."

"How high could one of them fancy hosses jump?" asked Long Tom. "I've seen some high jumping myself among the wild hosses."

"I think the Major's record with Comet was seven feet, four inches."

At this announcement a low whistle escaped several of the cowboys and Larry followed up this good impression.

"But the world's record is eight feet, six inches," he continued.

"Well," said Pony Perkins, "that's some jump but I've seen one of the fuzzy tails beat that. One time me and Arizona Tom was up in the big Pine River