Seventeen
J im Kniff had worn his behind to the bone riding day after day, in sun and rain, so as not to miss his appointment with the great rodeo and the most important Horse Fair of the year. He would return driving in front of him a dozen wild mustangs for Captain Archer’s stock farm and a bay stallion for his personal use - if he could find the right one.
Real horses, like real men, are always the most difficult to find. In truth, they’re all nags.
As soon as he had reached the city, he shaved, washed and perfumed himself so he was spick and span. He was dressed in his best, had made a tour of the saloons, and amply slaked his thirst to clear his throat of the journey’s dust. He had lost twenty dollars at poker, and watched two fights. The festivities had just begun and it was alrea
