tter at the second
attempt. Hanging on by a toe-hold, he was dragged bumping over the rough
ground. His revolver came out on schedule time and flew into the air.
When Farrar gave the word,--which was at the moment the galloping horse
was opposite the camera,--Steve worked his foot free, leaving the boot
still clinging to the stirrup.

Yeager got to his feet rather unsteadily. The fall had been an unusually
hard one, and it had not helped any to be dragged at full speed over the
bumpy ground. Maisie Winters ran forward and slipped an arm around his
waist to support him.

"You dandy man! I never did see one so game as you, Steve."

The cowpuncher grinned. He liked Maisie Winters. There was about her a
boyish, slangy camaraderie that made for popularity.

"Says the extra to the star, 'Much obliged, ma'am.'"

"You're no extra. In your own line you're as big a star as we've got. I
know there isn't a rider in the country like you. You're a jim-dandy."

"He's quite a family pet," contributed Harrison sourly.

Farrar came forward from the camera, his eyes shining. "Some picture,
I'll bet. Good boy! You pulled it fine, Steve. Didn't he, Threewit?"

The director nodded. He was wondering how much he would have to raise
this young man's salary to hold him from rival companies.

"Sho! I just fell out of the saddle, Frank. Most any one can fall off a
horse."

Harrison laughed spitefully. "I saw him do a better fall than that
oncet."

Farrar was on the spot. "I saw you do a mighty good one the same day."

"Don't get fresh, young fella, or you'll do more than see one," snarled
the heavy.

"Want to beat me up, Chad?" asked Farrar with innocent impudence. "I
weigh one hundred and thirty-one pounds when I'm hog fat. How much do
you weigh?"

"Cut it out, Frank," ordered Threewit. "I've had about enough of this
jangling. If it isn't stopped, some one's going to lose a job. We're
here to take pictures. Any one who's got any other idea had better call
at the office for his time."

"Meaning me, Mr. Director?" demanded Harrison menacingly.

"Meaning you or anybody else that won't keep the rules I set for the
company I run," retorted the director sharply.

"Forget it, Threewit. I'm no kid. Nobody runs me with rules. I do as I
please."

"You'll not make trouble in my company."

"You ain't any little tin god on wheels. Don't run away with that idee
in your bean. I haven't seen any man yet that can lay onto me without
getti