Smoky the Cowhorse · Chapter
IX: Fights for Rights explained
Clint defends his right to ride Smoky against Old Tom's claim, goading the old cowman into attempting to saddle and ride the horse.
What happens
Clint defends his right to ride Smoky against Old Tom's claim, goading the old cowman into attempting to saddle and ride the horse. Smoky, after a winter of freedom, is recaptured by Clint and slowly reacquainted. The chapter also depicts Smoky and Pecos defending their territory against a black horse, culminating in a fierce battle that drives the intruder away.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Betrayal
Clint's loyalty to Smoky leads him to defy Old Tom and risk his job, while Old Tom's claim is seen as a betrayal of cowboy code.
Wildness vs. Domestication
Smoky's winter freedom reawakens his wild instincts, requiring patient re-domestication by Clint.
Resilience and Endurance
Smoky endures harsh winter conditions, fights off a larger black horse, and withstands Old Tom's rough handling.
Characters to notice
- Smoky
Defends himself against Old Tom's rough handling and later fights alongside Pecos against a black horse.
- Clint
Provokes Old Tom into trying to ride Smoky, then recaptures and reacquaints Smoky after winter.
- Old Tom
Attempts to claim Smoky and is goaded into a rough saddling attempt.
- Pecos
Fights alongside Smoky against the black horse, showing loyalty and partnership.
- Jeff Nicks
Oversees the spring roundup departure.
Key passages
“Clint was a valuable man to the outfit, but with Old Tom one cowboy more or less didn’t matter, that is if that cowboy stood between him and a horse he wanted.”
Clint was important to the ranch, but Old Tom didn't care about losing a cowboy if it meant getting the horse he wanted.
Shows Old Tom's disregard for Clint's value in favor of his desire for Smoky.
“He seen Smoky brought to a choking standstill and that cowboy felt like committing murder as he noticed the fear in that pony’s eyes as he faced the strangers; but there Clint noticed something else and which he gradually recognized as fight —there was more fight than fear, and at the sight of that the cowboy took hope.”
Clint saw Smoky being choked and felt murderous rage at the fear in the pony's eyes, but then he saw that Smoky had more fight than fear, which gave him hope.
Highlights Smoky's defiant spirit and Clint's emotional investment.
“Smoky didn’t come, but he held his ground and listened to the talk. Clint talked on and watched him till the horse lost some of his wild look and then slow and easy started walking his way.”
Smoky stayed where he was and listened to Clint's voice, gradually losing his wild appearance and cautiously approaching.
Illustrates the patient re-bonding process between Clint and Smoky.
“It came about that the big black had took a liking to Pecos, and at the same time a dislike for Smoky. Pecos was neutral for a while and wondered what the black was up to when he tried to chase Smoky away from him.”
The black horse became fond of Pecos but hostile to Smoky, and Pecos initially remained neutral while observing the black's attempts to drive Smoky away.
Sets up the conflict and Pecos's eventual shift in loyalty.
“He seen his pardner down on his knees and the black a chewing away on him, and right about then the standing Smoky was transformed into a eleven hundred pound bombshell.”
Smoky saw his partner Pecos on his knees being attacked by the black horse, and in that moment he became a furious 1100-pound force of destruction.
Dramatic description of Smoky's explosive intervention to save Pecos.
