"Paso Fino. A breed from South America just now becoming popular on the show circuit for an extraordinary running walk. I'm looking forward to this."

Arty indicated his guest should ride a gentle, pregnant mare. Jed shook his head, and pointed to the largest member of the herd —an uncut stallion. The guide was horror stricken at the choice. The horse packer persisted. What settled the argument was that Jed introduce himself to the horse, native style, by blowing up the wild eyed stud's nostrils, while rubbing the "love" bump between the ears. Arty handed over the long hackamore lead rope that the Choco´ used in place of a bridle and bit.

Jed also knew enough to mount from the off side. It was knights wearing swords on their left, that had started the custom of climbing into a saddle from the left, or near side. Indians, whether riding bareback, or with a crude saddle, had independently developed the habit of vaulting onto a horse, by use of a stronger right arm, from the right. This is exactly what Jed did.

Except for the sight of his long legs nearly reaching the ground, the picture he presented was that of man and horse as one. Finding the bareback mount responsive to knee pressure, and that a gentle vibration upon the single, loosely held, woven vine rope enough to signal a stop, Jed put the Paso Fino through a series of figure eights, spins, and rollbacks executed at a lope.

At the end of a long sliding stop, Jed rolled forwards over the horse's head, landed on his feet, and handed the lead line back to Artillio, all in one smooth, but unexpected, movement.

It bothered him in ways to be showing off his equestrian skills. He had always found the braggadocio of "experts" of the sport, or skiing, or sailing, or anything that required a bit of skill, distasteful. However, the Choco´ had gathered for a free show.

It didn't hurt either that Jenny, who had never seen him put a horse through the paces, was watching.

"Attaway cowboy. Keep it up," she yelled in English from the edge of the gathering crowd, "If I can trust my ear, I think you are making quite an impression."