etitors for the Cup. On all sides they were
greeted with renewed cheers, and under the excitement of the hour they
abandoned the customary reserve of the cowboy, and began performing
what seemed to Shock impossible feats of horsemanship.

"I bet you I'll ride her into the Roost, Captain," cried The Kiddie.

"Done, for the drinks!" replied the Captain.

The boy cantered his mare across the street.

"Out of the way there!" he cried. "Out of the way, you fellows! I'm
coming!"

As he spoke he put the little mare straight at the flight of steps
leading up to the door of the Roost. The crowd parted hastily, but the
Swallow balked and swerved, and but for the fine horsemanship of the
rider he would have been thrown.

With an oath, the Kid took hold of his horse again, and riding
carelessly, faced her once more at the steps. But again she plunged,
reared, swung round, and set off at a run down the street.

The lad rode her easily back, brought her up to the steps at a walk,
quieted her with voice and hand, and then, cantering across the street,
came back again at an easy lope to the steps. The mare made as if to
balk again.

"Up, girl!" cried the boy, lifting her with the rein; and then, as she
rose, touching her with the spur, Like a cat the little mare clambered
up the steps, and before she could change her mind she found herself
through the door, standing in the bar-room with her rider on her back.

Through the outer entrance thronged the crowd of men, giving vent to
their admiration in yells and oaths, and lining up at the bar waited
for the payment of the bet.

Shock, who had been singularly attracted by the handsome, boyish face
of the rider, walked up to the door and stood looking in, his great
form towering above the crowd of men that swayed and jostled, chaffing
and swearing, inside. As he stood looking at the boy, sitting his horse
with such careless grace, and listening with pleased and smiling face
to the varied and picturesque profanity in which the crowd were
expressing their admiration, the words of his Convener came to his
mind, "They may not want you, but they need you."

"Yes," he muttered to himself, "they need me, or, someone better."

A great pity for the lad filled his heart and overflowed from his eyes.

The boy caught the look. With a gay laugh he cried, "I would drink to
your very good health, sir!" his high, clear voice penetrating the din
and bringing the crowd to silence. "But why carr