CHAPTER XXFISHING AND HUNTING
The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could. During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses. Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.
"I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff. "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."
"Didn't you ask Link about the man?" asked Dave.
"Yes. He says the fellow was a stranger to him, and they were just riding together for company. He says they were together about half an hour before he met you on the trail, and that the fellow left him about a quarter of an hour later and headed in the direction of the railroad station. He said the fellow didn't give any name, but saidhe was looking up some ranch properties for some Chicago capitalists."
This was all the sheriff could tell, and on that the matter, for the time being, rested. Fortunately, Star Ranch possessed a good number of horses, so none of the young folks were deprived of mounts. But Belle mourned the loss of her favorite steed, to which she had become greatly attached.
"I don't care so much for the others, but I do hope papa gets back Lady Alice," she said, dolefully.
A spell of bad weather kept the young folks indoors for the time being, and one day they were reminded by a cowboy of the entertainment they had promised.
"As soon as it clears, we'll give you an exhibition of fancy ridin'," said the cowboy. "But jest now the boys are dyin' fer some good singin' an' music, and such."
Dave and the others got their heads together, and the upshot of the matter was that an entertainment was arranged, to be given in the big dining-hall of the ranch house. One end of this room was elevated to form a stage, with big portières for curtains, and Roger, Phil, and Dave rehearsed several of the "turns" they had done at various times at Oak Hall. The girls practiced a number of songs, and Laura and the senator's son decidedto give a dialogue, which they called "Which Mr. Brown Lives Here?"
Word was passed around about the coming entertainment, and it was announced that it would be for the benefit of an old lady, the mother of a cowboy who had been killed in a cattle stampede the season before. The tickets were placed at one dollar each, the entire proceeds to go to the old lady. This charity appealed to the cowboys, and every one on the place took a ticket, and then got the cowboys from neighboring ranches to do likewise.
"We'll have to let some of them sit on the veranda and look in through the windows," said Mrs. Endicott, when she heard how many tickets had been sold. "The room won't hold half of them."
"If we have to, we'll give a double performance," said Dave. "We want everybody to get his money's worth." And then it was arranged that tickets should be good for either the "matinée" or the night performance.
The first performance was given in the afternoon and lasted from three to half-past five o'clock. Every number on the programme went off without a hitch, and the cowboys applauded uproariously. During the intermission one cowboy got up very gravely and marched to the stage, where he deposited a round Indian basket.
"Fer extra contributions, boys!" he sang out, loudly. "Don't be tight when thar's an old lady to help!" And he dropped two silver dollars in the basket. At once the other cowboys sprang up and marched to the front, and a steady stream of silver poured into the basket, much to the delight of everybody.
"Financially, this is going to be a great success," said Dave, his face beaming. "I only hope they really like the show."
"They do, or they would soon let you know," answered Belle. "A cowboy isn't so polite as to make believe he likes a thing when he doesn't."
The evening crowd was even larger than that which had gathered in the afternoon, and the seating capacity of the dining-room and the veranda near the windows was taxed to its utmost. The boys and girls started in to give exactly the same show as during the afternoon, and the first part went off very well. The Indian basket was again brought into play, and once more a shower of silver was poured into it.
"Mrs. Chambers will be more than delighted," said Belle.
"How much money do you think we will have for her?" asked Jessie.
"Oh, ticket money and extra contributions, at least two hundred dollars. It will be a splendid aid to the old lady."
During the first part of the evening's entertainment, Dave had been much surprised to note the entrance of Hank Snogger, accompanied by two other cowboys from the Merwell ranch. Snogger looked a bit sheepish, as if realizing that he was out of his element. The other two cowboys were rough and hard-looking men, and had evidently been drinking.
"I didn't think we'd have anybody here from the Merwell place," whispered Phil.
"Well, I suppose some of our cowboys sold them the tickets," answered Dave. "I certainly didn't think that fellow, Snogger, would show himself."
"The men with him are pretty loud," said Roger. "I hope they don't try to break up the show."
The second half of the entertainment was in full swing when one of the men with Snogger commenced to laugh uproariously. His companion joined in, and both made such a noise that not a word spoken on the stage could be heard by the rest of the audience.
"Say, keep quiet there!" called out Sid Todd, who was acting as a sort of usher.
The two cowboys paid no attention to this request, but continued to laugh, and presently one of them joined in the chorus of one of the songs the girls and boys were rendering. He sang badlyout of tune, and made such a discord that the song had to come to a stop.
"Go on! Go on!" he yelled, loudly.
"Whoop her up, everybody!" called his companion. "All join in the glad refrain!" And he started to sing in a heavy, liquor-laden voice.
"You shut up or git out!" cried Sid Todd, striding forward.
"They don't mean no harm," put in Hank Snogger, but he did not speak in positive tones.
"You keep out of this, Snogger," answered Todd, coldly. "Those men have got to behave themselves or git out. I said it, an' I mean it."
"That's right—put 'em out!" shouted several.
"Ain't we got a right to laff?" demanded one of the cowboys who were making the disturbance.
"Yes, but not so as to drown everything else," answered Sid Todd. "An' you can't sing."
"We come here fer some fun," said the other cowboy from the Merwell ranch. "An' we are going to have it. Whoop her up, everybody!" And he commenced to sing once more.
There were cries from all sides, and for a minute it looked as if the entertainment would end in a general row. But then Sid Todd gave a signal to some of the other Endicott hands, and in a twinkling the two boisterous cowboys were grabbed and hustled from the house. One tried to drawhis pistol, but was given a blow in the face that all but sent him flat.
"You brought those fellows over here—you take 'em away—an' mighty quick, too," said Sid Todd to Hank Snogger. And he gave the other cowboy such a black look that Snogger sneaked out of the house in a hurry. Outside, the three men were surrounded by a dozen of the Endicott hands, and they were forced to mount their horses and ride away; and that was the last seen of them for the time being.
The interruption made Laura and Jessie so nervous that they could not sing any more, so the programme had to be changed. Dave thought of a funny monologue Shadow Hamilton had once given at Oak Hall, and he gave this, as far as he could remember it, and put in a few stories that were new. The youth worked hard, and the cowboys applauded him vigorously when he had finished, and soon the unpleasant incident was practically forgotten. When the show was over, the cowboys all said it was the finest thing they had ever seen outside of a city theater.
"Worth the money," said one old cowboy. "An' I'd go ag'in to-morrow night, ef I could." Entertainments in that locality were rare, and the show was a grand treat to all.
"Oh, but those men who laughed and sang were horrid!" said Laura. "And I was so afraid theywould start to shoot, I didn't know how to control myself!"
"I believe they came over here on purpose to spoil the entertainment," said Phil.
"But why should they do that?" asked Jessie, innocently.
"More than likely Link Merwell got them to do it," answered Roger. "It would be of a piece with his meanness."
"I believe they were brought over by that Hank Snogger," said the shipowner's son.
"Yes, but I think Snogger is in some way under Link's thumb," put in Dave. "Anyway, the two seem to have a good deal in common."
"Well, it was a mean piece of business," said Belle. "Oh, I do wish the Merwells would sell out to some nice people! It would be splendid to have real good neighbors."
On the following Monday the boys went fishing "on their own hook," as Phil expressed it, although Jessie said he had better say "hooks," since they proposed to use several of them. The boys rode over to the river and took with them their shotguns. While fishing they kept their horses in sight and their firearms ready for use, and had any horse-thieves shown themselves they would have met with a hot reception. Fishing proved good, and inside of three hours they had all the fish on their strings that they cared to carry.
"Let us ride up the river a bit," suggested Phil, after they had eaten their lunch. "I'd like to look at the country, and it is possible we may be able to stir up some game."
As it was a clear day, the others agreed, and soon they were riding slowly along a trail which wound in and out among the rocks bordering the stream. They passed the shack which Roger and the girls had used as a shelter from the storm, and then reached an open spot. Beyond was a high hill, covered with a primeval forest.
"There ought to be some game in that woods," said Dave, as they continued to move forward.
"If the cowboys haven't shot everything worth shooting," answered the senator's son. "There used to be good hunting in Maine and in Upper New York State, but you have got to tramp a good many miles these days before you catch sight of anything worth while."
After a ride in the sun it was cool and pleasing in the forest, and they took their time riding under the great trees, some of which must have been fifty to a hundred years old. They saw a number of birds flitting about, but did not attempt to bring any down.
"If we want any big game we must keep quiet," said Dave, and after that they moved along without speaking, and with their eyes and ears on thealert for the first sign of something worth shooting.
Presently Dave held up his hand and all came to a halt. Not far away could be heard a curious drumming sound.
"What's that?" whispered Phil.
"Sounds like grouse," answered Dave. "They drum like that sometimes. They must be over in the trees yonder. Let us dismount and see."
The others were willing, and leaving their horses tied to the trees, the three boys crept forward to the spot from which the drumming proceeded. They came up abreast, and soon all caught sight of a number of grouse of the sharp-tailed variety, huddled in a little opening among the bushes.
"Get ready and fire when I give the word," whispered Dave, and a few seconds later all three of the chums blazed away simultaneously. There was a fluttering and more drumming, and several grouse thrashed the ground.
"Hurrah! we've got four!" cried Roger, rushing forward.
"And this one makes five!" said Phil, and dispatched one that was fluttering around. Then Dave killed a sixth, and by that time the rest of the game was out of sight.
CHAPTER XXIA WILDCAT AMONG THE HORSES
The bringing down of the grouse filled the boys with satisfaction, and they inspected the game with much interest.
"They'll make fine eating," declared Roger.
"Let us see if we can't get some more," pleaded Phil. The "fever" of hunting had taken possession of him.
"We'll not find much in this neighborhood," said Dave. "But I am willing to go a little further," he added, seeing how disappointed the shipowner's son looked.
Placing the game over their shoulders, they reloaded their weapons and continued on through the forest, taking a trail that seemed to have been made by wild animals. Twice they had to cross a winding brook, and at the second fording-place Dave, who was in the rear, called a halt.
"What do you want?" questioned Roger, as he and Phil turned back.
"I want you to look at these hoofmarks," answered Dave, and he pointed up the stream a short distance.
All passed to the locality indicated, and each youth looked at the hoofmarks with interest. They were made by a number of horses, probably six or eight, and though the marks were washed a little, as if by rain, they could still be plainly seen.
"Do you think they were made by the horses that were stolen, Dave?" questioned Phil.
"I don't know what to think."
"The horse-thieves might easily have come this way," said the senator's son. "They would be more apt to go away from the ranch than towards it."
"Maybe they stopped here during the big blow," said Phil.
"I think you are right, for here are marks where the animals were tied to trees," went on Dave. "I wonder—well, I declare!"
Dave stopped short and picked up a bit of a leather halter lying on the ground. It was of curious Mexican design, having a light leather thong entwined in a dark one.
"I don't know that I have ever seen a halter like that before," mused Roger, as he took the bit of halter from Dave, and then passed it to Phil.
"I have," answered Dave.
"So have I!" cried the shipowner's son. "Link Merwell's horse had one on, the day we met on the trail!"
"Just what I was going to say," added Dave. "I noticed it particularly."
"Then this must belong to Link," came from the senator's son.
"Perhaps not," answered Dave, slowly. "There may be other such halters around. We'll have to give Link the benefit of the doubt, you know."
"See here!" burst out Phil. "You may think as you please, but I have always thought that Link had something to do with the taking of our horses."
"Do you think he would deliberately steal six horses, Phil?"
"Well, maybe not deliberately steal them, but—but—I think he took them, anyhow."
"He may have taken them intending to drive them to our ranch, and perhaps the horses got away from him in the storm," suggested Roger.
"That may be true—it would be just like one of Link's mean tricks," answered Dave.
"I think we ought to tax him with it," said Phil.
"He'd deny it point-blank if you did," returned the senator's son. "This bit of halter is no proof against him. No, you'd only get into hot water if you accused him without proofs."
"What Roger says is true," declared Dave. "We'll not say a word against Link, or accusehim, until we have some good proof that he is guilty."
Taking the bit of halter with them, the three chums continued on their way along the trail. They covered another quarter of a mile, but saw no game excepting some birds on which they did not care to waste powder and shot.
"We'll have to go back, I suppose," said Phil, with a sigh. "Gracious, I wish we'd see a bear, or something!"
"How would an elephant and a few lions do?" quizzed Roger, with a grin.
"Or a couple of man-eating tigers," suggested Dave.
"I don't care! You can make fun if you want to, but I came out to this ranch to have some hunting," said Phil, stubbornly. "I'm going to the mountains and get something worth while some day."
"So are we all going, Phil," answered Dave, quickly. "I want to bring down some big game just as much as you do."
"Sid Todd said he'd take us," said Roger. "We'll make him keep his word."
They took a look around the locality where they were standing, and then turned back to where they had left their horses. They were still some distance from the animals when they heard one of the steeds give a sudden snort of alarm. Lookingthrough the trees, they saw Phil's horse leap and plunge, and then the others did likewise, as if trying to break from their halters.
"Something is wrong!" cried Dave. "Come on, before the horses break away!"
"Something has scared them," put in Roger. "Keep your guns ready for a shot. It may be a bear!"
"No such luck!" declared Phil. Nevertheless, he swung his shotgun into position for firing, and his chums did likewise.
As the boys entered the opening where the horses were tied, Dave caught sight of what was causing the disturbance. Out on the branch of a tree, directly over the animals, was a chunky and powerful looking wildcat, commonly called in that section of the country a bobcat. Its eyes were gleaming wickedly, its teeth were exposed, and it acted as if ready to leap at the throat of one of the horses.
"Look!" cried Dave, and then, as quickly as he could, he leveled his shotgun, took aim, and fired. The report of the firearm was followed by a blood-curdling cry from the wildcat, and down from the tree limb it tumbled, to roll over and over on the ground between the horses.
"Oh, what a savage beast!" gasped Phil, and for the instant he was so taken aback that he did not know what to do.
"He'll drive the horses crazy!" shouted Roger. "Oh, if I could only get a shot at him!"
What the senator's son said about the horses was true. The wildcat had been badly, but not mortally, wounded, and now it was rolling and twisting on the ground, sending the dirt and leaves flying in all directions. The steeds were in a panic, and leaped and plunged hither and thither, doing their best to break away.
"I should have waited until we all had the chance to shoot," said Dave. "If I can catch my horse——"
He got no further, for just then Roger, seeing a chance, rushed in between two of the steeds and pulled both triggers of his shotgun in quick succession. His aim was true, and, hit in the side, the wildcat rolled over and then started to crawl back into some bushes.
"He is going!" shouted Dave.
"I must have a shot!" put in Phil, recovering somewhat, and now he blazed away. When the smoke rolled off, the boys saw that the wildcat had disappeared.
"Where is he?"
"He went into yonder bushes!"
"Is he dead, do you think?"
"I don't know. Be careful, or he may leap out at us."
Such were some of the remarks made as thethree boys reloaded, in the meantime keeping their eyes on the spot where the wildcat had last been seen. The horses were still plunging, but gradually they quieted down.
"I am going to see if the wildcat is really dead," said Dave, boldly. "Even if he's alive, I don't think there is much fight left in him."
"You be careful!" warned Phil. "A wounded beast is always extra savage. He may fly at your throat, and then it will be all up with you."
"I guess we plugged him pretty well," said Roger.
With great caution Dave approached the bushes into which the wildcat had disappeared, and rather gingerly his chums followed him. They could see a trail of blood, which led to the bottom of a hollow between some rocks. Here they beheld the wildcat, stretched out on its side.
"Dead as a stone!" announced Dave, after a brief examination.
"Are you sure?" questioned Phil. "He may be shamming—some wild beasts do, you know."
"No, he's dead,—you can see for yourself."
"What shall we do with him?" questioned Roger, after all were convinced that the wildcat was really dead. "He isn't good for much."
"We could keep the skin—or have him stuffed," suggested Phil.
"Let us take him back to the ranch—so thatthe folks can see we really killed him," said Dave. "Then we might have him stuffed and sent to Oak Hall, to put in the museum."
"Just the thing!" cried the senator's son. "That will please Doctor Clay, I am sure."
They dragged the wildcat out into the open, and laid it where the horses might see that it was dead. As soon as they were aware of this, the steeds quieted down completely, and the boys had no more trouble with them. Dave and Phil carried the grouse and the fish, and Roger slung the wildcat up behind his saddle, and then off they set for Star Ranch at a gallop.
"Here come the fishermen!" cried Laura, who was out in front of the ranch house. "I hope you had luck!"
"We did," answered Dave, gayly. "How is that?" and he held up a string of fish.
"Splendid, Dave!"
"And how is that?" he went on, holding up two of the grouse.
"I declare, some game, too! Why, you've had good luck, haven't you!"
"Let me see!" said Belle, as she appeared, followed by Jessie.
"And how is this?" asked Phil, showing his fish and the rest of the game.
"Oh, how grand!" murmured Belle.
"What is that Roger has?" questioned Jessie.
"A wildcat!" cried the senator's son, and, leaping down, he brought the dead beast into full view. All the girls shrieked, and Jessie started to run back into the house. Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Endicott appeared, and then her husband.
"A bobcat!" cried the railroad president. "I didn't know there were any near this place. A big fellow, too," he added, as he inspected the animal.
"Did you shoot him, Roger?" asked Laura.
"We all had a hand in it," answered the senator's son. "Dave gave him the first dose of shot, and then Phil and I got in our work. It was a hard job to kill him, I can tell you," and then Roger told of how the wounded beast had fallen down among the horses.
"You can be thankful your horses didn't get away," said Mr. Endicott. "I knew of a horse once that was scared by a bear and he ran several miles, and wasn't caught until the next day."
"Oh, Dave, weren't you scared when you saw him on the tree?" whispered Jessie. She felt proud to think her hero had been the first to shoot at the beast.
"I didn't give myself time to get scared," he answered. "I just fired as quickly as I could."
"But supposing the wildcat had jumped on you!" And the girl shivered and caught him by the arm.
"I should have defended myself as best I could, Jessie."
"You—you mustn't take such risks," the pretty girl whispered, and looked wistfully into Dave's eyes. "I—I can't stand it, Dave!" And then she blushed and turned her face away.
"I'll be very careful after this, Jessie—for your sake," he answered, softly and tenderly.
CHAPTER XXIICOWBOY TRICKS AND "BRONCO-BUSTING"
"You boys sure did have a day of sport," said Sid Todd, after he had inspected the fish, the grouse, and the wildcat. "And you've proved that you can shoot," he added, nodding toward the slain beast. "I've known many a putty good hunter to get the shakes when he see a bobcat a-glarin' at him from a tree. It ain't no tender sight, is it now?"
"Not much!" answered Phil, warmly. He had been as close to getting the "shakes" as any one of the three. "I was glad when I knew he was dead."
"Something about a bobcat I don't like," went on the cowboy. "We used to hunt 'em—when they got after the sheep some years ago. Once one of 'em jest about got me by the throat, an' I ain't forgitting it! I'd rather face a bear, I think."
"You mustn't forget that you are to take us to the mountains on a hunting expedition," came from Roger. "We want to get some deer, or an elk, before we go back East."
"I'll take you—don't worry," answered the cowboy.
The news soon spread around the ranch that the "tenderfeet" had killed a big bobcat, and all the hands came to get a look at the beast. They praised the boys, and said they must be nervy hunters or they could not have done it. Of course the lads were correspondingly proud, and who can blame them? The animal was prepared for stuffing, and then sent off by express to a taxidermist in the city.
After talking the matter over among themselves, the boys decided to tell Mr. Endicott about the piece of Mexican halter they had picked up. He listened gravely to what they had to say, and looked at the bit of leather curiously.
"I am afraid it is not much in the way of evidence," said he. "But I'll remember it, and we'll have to watch Link Merwell—that is, as well as we can. There would be no gain in speaking to Mr. Merwell, it would only stir up the bad feeling that already exists. I understand that he has had an offer for his ranch from somebody in the East, and I trust he sells out and moves somewhere else."
"So do I," echoed Dave, heartily. "Some place where none of us will ever hear of him or his son again."
Two days after the shooting of the wildcat, SidTodd announced that the cowboys of Star Ranch and Hooper Ranch, up the river, were going to hold a contest in "bronco-busting" and in fancy riding. All the young folks were invited to be present and a little stand was to be erected, from which they might view what was going on in comfort.
"Hurrah! that suits me!" cried Dave. "I've been wanting to see them break in a real bronco."
"And I want to see some of their fancy riding," added the senator's son. "It will be a real Wild West show."
"And no fifty cents admission, either," said Phil, with a grin.
"I hope nobody gets hurt," said Jessie, timidly.
"Oh, they are generally more careful than you think," answered Mr. Endicott.
"But bronco-busting is dangerous, isn't it?" questioned Laura.
"Yes,—for anybody who has had no experience. But Todd and some of the others can saddle and ride any pony in these parts."
All went out to the stretch of plain where the contest was to take place. The little stand was there, true enough, and to the four corners were nailed four flags—two of the Stars and Stripes, and one each of the two ranches, that of the Endicotts having a blue field with the words, Star Ranch, in white.
The word had been passed around for a good many miles, and consequently a crowd numbering over a hundred had assembled on the field, including half a dozen ladies and several children. The cowboys were out "on parade," as Mr. Endicott expressed it, and each wore his best riding outfit, and had his horse and trappings "slicked up" to the last degree. All wore their largest Mexican sombreros, and, taken together, they formed a truly picturesque assemblage.
"Puts me in mind of gypsies," said Laura. "Only they haven't their wives and children with them."
"And they aren't telling fortunes," added Jessie.
The sport began with some fancy riding in which eight of the cowboys, four from each ranch, participated. The cowboys would ride like the wind and leap off and on their steeds, turn from frontwards to backwards, slide from the saddle under their horses' necks and up into the saddle again, and lean low to catch up handkerchiefs and hats left on the grass for that purpose. Then they did some fancy vaulting, over bars and brushwood, and while riding two and even four horses.
"Good! good!" shouted Dave. "Isn't that fine!"
"Best I ever saw!" answered Roger, and everybody in the crowd applauded vigorously.
After the fancy riding came some shooting while in the saddle, both at stationary objects and at things sprung into the air from a trap. The repeated crack! crack! crack! of the pistols and rifles scared some of the girls a little, but the boys enjoyed the spectacle thoroughly, and marveled at some of the shots made.
"Game wouldn't stand much chance with those chaps," remarked Dave. "They could hit a running deer or a flying bird without half trying."
The shooting at an end, the cowboys brought out their best lassoes and showed what could be done in landing the circlets over running steers and horses. Here Sid Todd was in his element, and the way he managed his lasso, one of extra length at that, brought out tremendous applause.
"He is the best lasso-thrower in these parts," said Mr. Endicott. "No one can compare with him."
"Well, he is a good shot, too," said Dave. "And he rides well also."
"Yes, he is a good all-around fellow," answered the ranch owner. "I am mighty glad I have him,—and I am glad I got rid of that Hank Snogger," he added.
"Are any of the men from the Merwell ranch here?"
"No, I warned them to keep away—after thattrouble we had at your entertainment,—and Mr. Hooper, the owner of the other ranch,—told them to keep away, too. Some of those fellows drink, and if they got to quarreling there might be some shooting, and then there would be no telling where the thing would end. I made up my mind I'd take no chances."
The "bronco-busting," as it is called, was reserved for after lunch. Several wild-looking ponies were tethered at a distance, and it was the task of those who proposed to do the "busting" to take a saddle, fasten it on a pony, and then get up and ride around the field at least twice. The ponies were unbroken, and of the sort usually designated as vicious and unreliable.
It was truly a thrilling exhibition and one the boys, and the girls, too, for the matter of that, never forgot. As soon as a bronco was approached he would begin to plunge and kick, and to get a saddle on him was all but impossible. Then, if at last he was saddled, and the cowboy who had been successful got in the seat, the pony would leap and plunge some more, sometimes going straight up into the air and coming down with legs as stiff as posts. Then, if this did not throw the cowboy off, the pony would start to run, only to stop short suddenly, in the hope of sending the rider over his head.
"Oh, somebody will be killed!" screamedJessie, and often turned her face away to shut out the sight. "Oh, why do they do such dreadful things?" she added.
"They've got to break the ponies somehow," answered Dave. "Those broncos will be all right after they get used to it."
"Say, do you know, I'd like to try that," remarked Roger. "I think I could sit on one of those ponies, if he had the saddle on."
"I think I could do it, too," added Dave.
"Oh, Dave!" exclaimed his sister, while Jessie gave a little shriek of horror.
"It's not as bad as it looks—after the pony is saddled," answered Dave.
"We'll try it to-morrow—on the quiet," whispered Roger.
After the "busting" of the broncos had come to an end, there was a two-mile race, for a first and a second prize, put up by the two ranch owners. In this race nine of the cowboys started, amid a wild yelling and the cracking of numerous pistols,—for the average cowboy is not enjoying himself unless he can make a noise.
"They are off!" yelled Phil.
"Yes, and see them go!" added Dave.
"I'll bet our ranch wins!" came from Roger.
"What will you bet?" asked Belle, mischievously.
"A box of candy against a cream pie."
"That's fair,—but I can't bet against our ranch," answered Belle, gayly.
On and on thundered the horses across the plains, to a spot a mile distant. At first three of the cowboys from the other ranch were in the lead, and their followers cheered them loudly.
"Oh, we are going to lose!" said Belle, with a pout, as the leaders in the race started on the return.
"No! no!" answered Dave. "See, Sid Todd is coming to the front."
"Yes, and Yates is crawling up, too," added Phil.
Nearer and nearer to the finish line swept the cowboys, those in the rear doing their best to forge ahead. Now Sid Todd, Yates, and two cowboys from the Hooper ranch were neck-and-neck.
"It will be a tie," murmured Laura.
"No, Todd is gaining!" cried Mr. Endicott, who was as much excited as anybody. "See, he and Hooper's man are now ahead!"
"Here they come, on the homestretch!" was the general cry.
On and on thundered the horses, nearer and nearer to the finishing line. When the leaders were less than fifty yards off Sid Todd made a spurt.
"Here comes Todd!"
"Todd wins! Todd wins!"
"Galpey is second!"
"Yes, and Yates is third!"
"Say, that's riding for you!" And so the cries rang out. Sid Todd had indeed won, and all of his friends from Star Ranch congratulated him. The second prize went to the cowboy from the Hooper ranch. Yates got nothing, but was content to know that he had come in third and only five yards behind the leader.
"Well, that certainly was an entertainment worth looking at," said Dave, when it was over, and they were returning to the ranch house.
"I've never been so stirred up," answered Roger. "But, say, I am going to try one of those broncos to-morrow," he added.
"Not for me!" said Phil. "I value my neck too much."
"What about you, Dave?" And the senator's son looked anxiously at the Crumville lad.
"Well, I'll see," answered Dave. He was not afraid to try riding a bronco, but he did not wish to worry Jessie and his sister.
"You are not afraid, are you?"
"No."
"Well, I am not afraid, either," came quickly from Phil, and his face grew red. "You needn't think——"
"Oh, don't get mad, Phil; I didn't mean anything,"interposed Roger. "If you don't care to try it, you don't have to."
"But you needn't insinuate that I——"
"I am not insinuating anything, Phil. I merely wanted to know if Dave will try riding with me, that's all."
"Well, I—er—I know what you think. And if you try this bronco-busting business, why—I'll try it too, so there!" answered Phil, defiantly.
At the house the talk was entirely of the things they had seen. Jessie was rather glad it was over, for rough things made her somewhat afraid. Belle was enthusiastic and said she had once tried "bronco-busting" herself.
"But I didn't do much," she said. "The pony started to run and then stopped suddenly, and I went over his head into a stack of hay. I was glad the hay was there, otherwise I might have broken some of my bones."
"It is dangerous sport at the best," said Mrs. Endicott. "But the cowboys feel that the ponies must be broken in, and there is no other way to do it."
CHAPTER XXIIIDAVE ON A BRONCO
Dave had his doubts about doing any "bronco-busting" on his own account, but he did not say anything to Roger and Phil about it. He was not afraid, but he knew Jessie would be greatly worried if he attempted anything dangerous.
However, his chums got him up early the following morning, and, directly after breakfast, Roger led the way down to the corral.
"I am going to try it, even if you are not," said the senator's son, and insisted upon it that one of the unbroken ponies be brought forward. The saddle was adjusted by Sid Todd, who held the animal while Roger leaped into the saddle.
The experience was not as exciting as had been anticipated, for the reason that the animal chosen by Todd was somewhat tame. The cowboy was attached to the boys, and did not wish to see any of them run the risk of breaking his neck.
After Roger came Phil, and he was timid enough to ask for a horse "that didn't look as if he wanted to eat somebody up." Phil had more ofa time of it than Roger, but managed to keep in the saddle and ride around the corral several times.
"It's not so hard as I supposed," said the shipowner's son, as he leaped to the ground, and the pony, freed of the saddle, galloped off. "I thought I'd be half-killed."
"Those ponies were not so wild as those used yesterday," answered Dave. "Not but that they were bad enough," he continued, with a smile.
Sid Todd had remained to hold the pony ridden by Phil and had then been called away to attend to some business at another part of the ranch. He had told Yates to help the boys.
Now, as it happened, Yates was full of fun and always up to practical jokes. It had disgusted him to see Todd bring out such comparatively safe ponies as those ridden by Roger and Phil. He had been told to bring out a certain animal for Dave, but instead led forth a bronco that was as wild and fiery as any used the day previous.
"If he rides that beast, he's a good one," Yates murmured to himself, and then he beckoned to some other cowboys to watch the fun. Half a dozen quit work to draw closer, each with a broad grin on his sunburnt face. They expected to see Dave get the shaking-up of his life and felt positive he would not be able to stay on the bronco's back two minutes.
"He certainly is a wild one," said Dave, as he advanced and eyed the pony.
"Oh, he's no worse than the others," answered Yates, smoothly, and then he rolled his eyes and winked at the other cowboys.
Dave looked critically at the saddle and saw to it that it was properly buckled. Then he flung his cap to Roger.
"Say, Dave, that pony looks half-crazy," said Phil. "You be careful."
"He certainly does look wild," added Roger.
"Well, I'm going to ride him anyway—or know the reason why!" cried Dave, and a look of strong determination came into his face. "Get around there!" he called sharply to the pony, and then, with a quick leap, he gained the saddle and dug his knees into the pony's sides. "Let him go!"
Yates released his hold and everybody in the crowd backed away. For a moment the bronco stood stock-still, his eyes gazing straight ahead. Then he gave a vigorous shake and took a few steps forward.
"Hurrah! see him ride!" shouted Yates, and winked again at the other cowboys, who grinned more than ever.
Five steps forward and the bronco halted. Then up in the air he went, a distance of six or eight feet. He came down "on all fours," good and hard, and had Dave been resting in the saddle he would have had the wind knocked out of him completely. But the youth was standing in the stirrups, and he allowed his body to spring with that of the animal he hoped to conquer.