a while on the mountain, he is tricked into going to a reservation school. Then from there, he escapes then returns and ends up being an aid for a sheepherder. Within a short a period of time, he is taken in the hands of Red Dillon. Red Dillon is an owner of a kind of farm. As an ex-rodeo rider, he teaches Tom how to ride broncs. Red Dillon teaches Tom important lessons but attempts to run his life. When Red Dillon says, “‘ . . . First one is, don’t trust anybody when it comes to your saddle and gear. Not even me. Check everything yourself before you say you’re ready . . .’”(125) Those few words by Red taught Tom more than just not to trust anyone with your gear and deal with bronc riding. But instead do not trust anybody with anything at all in life. Do everything yourself and do not rely on others to do things. “‘Second thing you just learned,’ Red said, “is not to jump somebody bigger than you unless you’ve got an evener . . .take it out on a horse, where you’ve got a change to win’”(125) This lesson is for Tom to try to not take out his frustration on something that he know he can not handle. Instead, to take on something he can tackle, where he has a chance. This applies to anything in life, not just to rodeoing. Red Dillon though with his alcohol brings a negative affect to Tom. He does not provide a father figure in which Tom lacks, he does not show any affection, forces Tom to do things against his own will, and he shows a lot of aggression. In the end, Red brings doom to himself and leaves Tom, alone by himself again. Tom is back to having no one to lead him and help him make decisions. He is back to supporting himself and choosing what to do. Tom is able to do what he wants to do, without anyone to hold him back. He does not want anyone to lead his life for him. But he needed the lessons from his mom and Red to be able n...
