get thrown but think of the fun of
seein' it!"

"But he might get killed or injured!" faltered Pole.

"Nonsense! A man as physically fit as Rube isn't going to get busted
up by falling off a donkey. Come on, let's get him to try out
Dynamite!"

Pole finally consented. "Say, Rube," he said, "You can ride Dynamite!
Why don't you go in an' try it? That'd be the easiest twenty-five
bucks you ever earned!"

"I was just thinkin' of that myself," replied Judd, hesitatingly.

"Here, ... I'll lend you a quarter," returned Pole, growing generous.
"I'd like to see you get the money, Rube."

"Yes, we're all with you, Rube," put in Benz, and winked at the bunch.

"Do you fellows think I could stick to Dynamite?" asked Judd,
cautiously. "I've ridden everythin' from hogs to bulls but I don't
know about this here donkey bizness."

"Try it anyhow, Rube. We'll come in and cheer for you."

"Sure, Rube, go to it!"

"Well, ... all right. I reckon it won't do any harm to try."

"Good!" Pole edged his way over to the ticket seller. "This here
fellow wants to tackle Dynamite!"

"What! That guy? Why, Dynamite'll break every bone in his body, son.
Your friend is crazy!"

"He's no piece of china, Mister!" shot back Pole. "Look him over.
I'll bet Rube can ride Dynamite!" turning and winking at the bunch.
Judd stood by, quietly, soberly.

"I'll have to speak to the manager about this," replied the ticket
seller, seeing that Pole was in earnest. "Hey, George, come here a
minute! This kid wants to tackle Dynamite!" He pointed a long, slim
finger at Judd.

"What! Say, boy, do you know what you're goin' up against? We didn't
name that donkey Dynamite fer nothin'!"

"Just the same I'd like to tackle him, sir," spoke up Judd. "I'm
willin' to take all risks!"

"You heard that, gentlemen? You're my witnesses!" replied the manager,
for the benefit of the crowd. "He says he's willin' to take all risks.
Are you ready fer the funeral, kid?"

"Yes," replied Judd, calling the bluff. "And where are you goin' to
bury your donkey?"

The manager laughed gruffly. "Come on in an' I'll introduce you to
Dynamite. Remember, twenty-five plunks are yours if you stick on
Dynamite fer ten minutes. And here's the money!" He reached down
inside his pocket and pulled forth a roll of bills. "I'll give the
money to this policeman fer you to claim if you stick to Dynamite. If
you do it'll be the first time in history,... but it