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 "Not when he 's jerked over on his back 'fore he knows what fetched him. We 've all done it, Boney," said Rick. "Nip an' Tuck they tried it, spite o' what the Deacon told 'em; an' the Deacon he tried it, spite o' what me an' Rod told him; an' me an' Rod tried it, spite o' what Grandee told us; an' I guess Grandee he tried it, spite o' what his dam told him. It 's the same old circus from generation to generation. 'Colt can't see why he 's called on to back. Same old rearin' on end-straight up. Same old feelin' that you 've bested 'em this time. Same old little yank at yer mouth when you 're up good an' tall. Same old Pegasus-act, wonderin' where you 'll 'light. Same old wop when you hit the dirt with your head where your tail should be, and your in'ards shook up like a bran- mash. Same old voice in your ear: 'Waal, ye little fool, an' what did you reckon to make by that?' We 're through with risin' in our might on this farm. We go to pole er single, accordin' ez we 're hitched."

"An' Man the Oppressor sets an' gloats over you, same as he 's settin' now. Hain't that been your experience, madam?"

This last remark was addressed to Tedda; and any one could see with half an eye that poor, old, anxious, fidgety Tedda, stamping at the flies, must have left a wild and tumultuous youth behind her.

"’Pends on the man," she answered, shifting from one foot to the other, and addressing herself to the home horses. "They abused me dreflle when I was young. I guess I was sperrity an' nervous some, but they did n't allow for that. 'T was in Monroe County, Noo York,