They had never seen
a more interesting roping exhibition than this, and that a boy was one
of the contestants gave their enthusiasm an added zest.
The two were, by this time, working far out on the field. Tad
realized this and sought to get back nearer to their starting point.
He did not, however, understand that his adversary had any object in
getting so far away, though the man had a distinct purpose in so
doing, as Tad eventually learned.
The foreman was shouting a warning to them, which Tad tried to heed,
although his adversary prevented his doing so by blocking the way each
time.
Whenever the opportunity presented itself the cowboy would bump his
pony violently against the one that Tad Butler was riding, in an
effort either to so jar the boy that he could rope him or else
possibly to unhorse the lad.
"See here, you stop that!" shouted Tad after the third attempt. "What
are you trying to do to me?"
"I'll show you, you freckle-faced tenderfoot!" yelled the cowboy,
making a vicious rush. At the same time his rawhide shot out.
Tad narrowly missed being caught that time, and in turn the cowboy was
nearly caught by Tad's loop. A lucky sweep of his arm brushed I the
lariat away not a second too soon.
Tad observing that his adversary, who was about to cast again, had him
at a dangerous advantage, threw himself down on the side of the pony's
neck.
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