excited. Probably because he hadn't spent as much time with me as the lanky man. I knew he was grieved by the death of Tammy, and that it was tough for his son too, losing both her and me inside a fortnight. Not only that, but out of the three I trusted him the most, because he trusted me back. And he was the one who had taught me to bear a human on my back. So many things he had in for me, and by the high rush of short-legs and the gleam in the eye of the leader, I was about to pay him back somehow.

As the sun started to get lower in the sky, I saw another man building in the distance. This one was weird though. It was huge. Men stood on the roof from what I could see. As we drew nearer, I discovered that it was some sort of defence, and was all just a giant fence. Around what, I did not know, but I had a gut feeling that I was about to find out.

Approaching the fence, which was now over three times the height of the tallest building on the ranch, two massive doors opened, spewing blinding light onto the heavily shadowed ground. My eyes adjusted to the light, and all I could see was horses. Just standing the before my eyes. Maybe a hundred or even more.

On their backs were men, simply sitting there, until someone shouted, and they got off their horses and stood smartly to attention. I closed my mouth so that  didn't appear to be an idiot. I knew the horses were healthy, alive, but it wasn't natural. It was too perfect. Sure, do as humans say if they care for you, but don't become a zombie!

The man who had shouted came over to us. He had an angled face with a moustache and a tiny beard. His long hair blew slightly in the low breeze, his face merely a shadow due to the broad hat he wore. I could feel the tension around him, his authority was obvious. But my father was in charge of our herd, but no-one was unnerved by him. Then it struck me, it wasn't respect: it was fear.

The Colonel stroked the neck of the golden mare, wary of the glint in her eye. He stood back to admire her, then spoke to the three men waiting anxiously for the verdict. "She's a fine beast, Mr.Tumblethorn, just what you promised me, I won't deny it."

"Please Sir, just call me Jake, it'll mean no offence."

"well Jake, how much would you want for her? I can tell you'll be wanting more than any normal mustang."

Jake Tumblethorn rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well let's see. Horse, that'll be the usual price, then another couple of dollars for the coat, would be worth a fortune in the fur industry," The mare snorted at him with disapproval. "Some more for the character of her you see, she's loyal and brave, don't get that often. Speedy? Anything else?"

The lanky cowboy jumped at the sudden realisation that he had been dragged into the matter. "Uh, she's trained Boss. Fully n'all. Be another ten dollars that, save you a lot of time. So that would be about..." Once again his maths failed him and he turned to Bear, who was getting restless. The dumpy man was happy to be involved for a change.

"Let's see... fifty-four dollars, seventy cents." He grinned, showing an array of black and yellow teeth.

"This is an army camp, not a gold mine. I won't pay more than fifty dollars." growled the Colonel. He was determined not to be scammed.

Jake examined his gnarled nails. "Fifty-three."

"Fifty and fifty cents."

"Fifty-one?"

The Colonel's hair seemed to bristle momentarily, then he said in a huff, "Done."

I saw the men argue for a minute, then they shook hands and my ropes were given to some young soldiers. I realised that I was being sold on! I didn't want to go, somewhere deep inside of me I had even warmed to the gruff one. But the matter was out of my hands. I tried tugging at the ropes and calling to them, but the cowboys were getting ready to ride back to the ranch. My eyes fell upon the skinny one, and he caught my gaze. He walked over to give me one last stroke on the nose. We had an understanding between us, he would tell Harry I was safe and happy. And maybe, maybe, one day we would meet again.