Part 37 (1/2)
”A gambler?” questioned both boys in surprise.
”I wouldn't go far enough to say that. What are they going to do next here do you know?” asked the engineer, changing the subject.
”I believe it is to be a roping contest. That will be a lot of fun.”
”You are not going in it, are you?”
”Of course. Why not? I don't know what they are going to rope, but I'll take my chance with the rest of them whatever it is. Guess I'll ride over and ask Mr. Jessup. I see him over there now.”
Mr. Jessup when questioned informed the boy that it was to be a most realistic contest in which two men mounted were to try to rope each other. One of the rules of the contest was that the roper, when he caught his opponent, was to drop the lariat instantly so as not to pull his victim from the saddle.
As only two could meet for the prize it was decided that lots should be drawn from a hat. The two who drew slips of paper with the word ”rope” written on them, were to have the honor of meeting in a test of skill.
The prize was a Mexican saddle, silver mounted, at which all the cowmen looked with covetous eyes.
”Think you want to take a chance for the saddle, boy?” asked Mr.
Jessup.
”That I do,” laughed Tad. ”That's the saddle I want--I always have wanted one just like it. But I'm afraid I shall not get the opportunity to try for it.”
”They are getting ready to draw. You had better go over,” advised the rancher.
Tad found that they were not only getting ready, but that most of the men had already drawn. Only one ”rope” slip had been taken from the hat, however, so there still was a chance.
He rode up to the foreman, who was holding the hat from which the drawing was being done.
”May I draw?” he asked.
”Do you know how to sling a rope, kid?”
”A little,” answered Tad, with an embarra.s.sed smile, for the cowmen were making uncomplimentary remarks about letting babies into a man's game. The boy's face burned, but he gave no heed to their ungentlemanly remarks.
The foreman held up the hat. Tad leaned over and drew from it a slip of paper.
”Next--who draws next?” demanded the foreman.
”If it will save you any trouble, I might suggest that it isn't necessary to draw further,” Tad informed him, with the suspicion of a smile on his face.
”What's that?” asked the foreman sharply.
”I have the second slip,” was the quiet reply.
The cowboys broke into loud exclamations of disapproval.
”Fair is fair, boys,” warned Mr. Jessup. ”You all had your chance and you lost.”
”Yes, that's right,” agreed the foreman. ”You fellows will have to swallow your pills without making faces.”
The man Cravath was now talking with the cowboy who had drawn the other slip. He was one of the men Chunky had won from, though Tad did not know it at the moment.
Tom Phipps pus.h.i.+ng his way up to the lad informed him of this fact, and drawing Tad to one side whispered something to him.