Part 36 (2/2)
A roar of applause sounded in the fat boy's ears. Yells, cat calls and shrill whoops rent the air.
All at once a pistol barked, the black pony's feet plowed the dust, bringing it to a sharp halt.
The suddenness of the movement caused Chunky's feet to rise straight up into the air. For a few brief seconds he was standing on his head on the pony's neck like a circus performer.
Then, as the animal lowered its head, the rider toppled over, still clinging to the neck of his mount. Such a chorus of laughter and shouting the Jessup ranch had never known before.
”How is it, Mr. Umpire?” piped Stacy, releasing one hand from the pony's neck and raising it questioningly.
”This isn't a baseball game, young fellow,” jeered the foreman. ”This is a hoss race and you've won it. The black wins and you get the rifle.”
The grimy hand that the lad had held aloft still clung to the remnants of the roast sandwich that he had carried throughout race.
CHAPTER XVIII
TAD WINS A ROPING CONTEST
In their enthusiasm two of the ranchers hoisted Chunky to their shoulders and marched about singing. Others fell in behind them until fully half the spectators had joined the procession. Chunky leered down at his companions as he pa.s.sed them and winked solemnly.
”I didn't suppose he could ride like that,” marveled Tom Phipps.
”Neither did any of the rest of us,” answered Walter.
”I never saw a more plucky piece of work in my life.”
Tad came up to where they were, laughing heartily.
”Doesn't that beat all, Walt?”
”It certainly does.”
”Our friends who were defeated do not seem to appreciate the humor of it, though,” interjected the young engineer.
”No, not very sportsmanlike, is it? Who is that fellow with whom Chunky's compet.i.tors are talking?”
”Name is Cravath. Queer sort of a chap.”
”Haven't I seen him about the Red Star?” asked Tad.
”Yes, no doubt. He is a checker at the mine. He and his wife and daughter have a cabin out near the Ruby Rock that you are so much interested in. I know very little about him--”
”Don't like his looks at all,” decided Tad.
”No, I never warmed up to him very much myself. I understand he is not very popular among the men, either. But I guess that is because he wins their money in games of chance.”
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