The red stallion made short plunges. Slone reached low
for the tripping reins. When he straightened up in the saddle Wildfire broke
wildly into a run.
It was characteristic of Holley that at this thrilling, tragic instant he
walked over into the sage to pick up his gun.
"Throwed a gun on me, got the drop, an' pitched mine away!" muttered Holley,
in disgust. The way he spoke meant that he was disgraced.
"My Gawd! I was scared thet Sears would get the hoss!" rolled out Bostil.
Holley thought of his gun; Bostil thought of the splendid horse. The thoughts
were characteristic of these riders. The other men, however, recovering from a
horror-broken silence, burst out in acclaim of Slone's feat.
"Dick Sears's finish! Roped by a boy rider!" exclaimed Cal Blinn, fervidly.
"Bostil, that rider is worthy of his horse," said Wetherby. "I think Sears
would have bored you. I saw his finger pressing--pressing on the trigger. Men
like Sears can't help but pull at that stage."
"Thet was the quickest trick I ever seen," declared Macomber.
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