"It was better than a circus," laughed Dick. "I never saw two more
surprised faces in my life."
"I either," said Tom. "I guess they must have thought Bert was champion
of some hick village before they consulted us."
"I could see that was their idea when I offered to run," grinned Bert;
"that's why I referred them to you."
"The boys place a lot of importance on the foot race," said Mr. Melton;
"in the other events they're chiefly competing against each other, but in
that they meet the townspeople on common ground, and it means a lot to
them to win. And if the winner comes from their own particular ranch,
that makes the victory all the more sweet."
"Well," remarked Bert, "if I do run in that race, as it seems very likely
I shall, I'll certainly do my best to win for the ranch. I don't suppose
there'll be much competition outside of this 'ringer,' anyway."
"No, I don't think there'll be much competition for _you_," smiled Mr.
Melton, "but just the same there'll be some pretty fair runners in that
race, and they may make you hustle a little at that.
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