tant, who will also be
required to ride the horse before you all. If he also shall fail to ride
the caballo, then will the horse revert to Don Andres, who will keep him
for his own saddle horse!" He waited while the applause at this sly bit
of humor gradually diminished into the occasional pistol-popping of
enthusiastic palms, and gestured for silence that he might speak again.

"I am also instructed to inform you that not alone for the prize which
Don Andres offers will the contest be fought. I am requested to announce
that the Texas vaquero, Senor Jack Allen, hereby publicly challenges Don
Jose Pacheco to contest for the gold medal which now rests in the
possession of Don Jose. Senors and Senoras, I thank you for attending so
graciously to my words, and I wish to ask for continued attention while
I announce the sports to these Americanos who do not understand the
Spanish, and who are also the guests of Don Andres Picardo, your host."

He bowed low before them, turned and told Bill Wilson's solemnly
attentive crowd what was to take place after the feast. Not so
elaborate; terse, that he might not try the politeness of that other
crowd too far. And when he was done he stopped himself on the verge of
saying more, reconsidered and, trusting to the fact that scarce a
Spaniard there spoke English, added a warning.

"I hope you all realize," he said, "that we're anxious to have
everything go off peaceably. We look to you men to see that, whatever
may happen, there shall be no disturbance. Such things are easier
started than stopped; and, just as a hint of what will do the most to
keep the peace, I want to announce that the water on this rancho can't
be beat, and can safely be used for drinking purposes!"

"Water goes, m' son, or I'll know the reason why," called Bill Wilson,
and the palms of his crowd clapped vigorous assent.

"That thar's the sensiblest thing you've said, so fur," approved Jerry
Simpson, beside Bill. "Me an' the twins'll stand guard, if necessary,
and see't that thar hint is took." Whereat Bill Wilson clapped him on
the shoulder approvingly.

There was the hum of confusion while the hungry sought the barbecue
pits. Dade, his face settled into gloomy foreboding in spite of certain
heartening circumstances, went slowly away to his room; where Jack,
refusing to take any interest in the sports, lay sprawled upon the bed
with a cigarette gone cold between his lips and his eyes fixed hardly
upon the ceiling