cost of venturesome know-it-ails.

Hopalong was firmly convinced that his day of hard riding was well worth
while, for the Bar-20 was to be represented in strength. Probably
a clearer insight into his idea of a carnival can be gained by his
definition, grouchily expressed to Red Connors on the day following the
last affair: "Raise cain, go broke, wake up an' begin punching cows
all over again." But that was the day after and the day after is always
filled with remorse.

Hopalong and Red, having twice in succession won the revolver and rifle
competitions, respectively, hoped to make it 'Three straight.' Lanky
Smith, the Bar-20 rope expert, had taken first prize in the only contest
he had entered. Skinny Thompson had lost and drawn with Lefty Allen, of
the O-Bar-O, in the broncho-busting event, but as Skinny had improved
greatly in the interval, his friends confidently expected him to "yank
first place" for the honor of his ranch. These expectations were backed
with all the available Bar-20 money, and, if they were not realized,
something in the nature of a calamity would swoop down upon and wrap
that ranch in gloom. Since the O-Bar-O was aggressively optimistic the
betting was at even money, hats and guns, and the losers would begin
life anew so far as earthly possessions were concerned. No other
competitors were considered in this event, as Skinny and Lefty had so
far outclassed all others that the honor was believed to lie between
these two.

Hopalong, blissfully figuring out the chances of the different
contestants, galloped around a clump of mesquite only fifteen miles from
Muddy Wells and stiffened in his saddle, for twenty rods ahead of him on
the trail was a woman. As she heard him approach she turned and waited
for him to overtake her, and when she smiled he raised his sombrero and
bowed.

"Will you please tell me where I am?" She asked.

"Yu are fifteen miles southeast of Muddy Wells," he replied.

"But which is southeast?"

"Right behind yu," he answered. "Th' town lies right ahead."

"Are you going there?" She asked.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Then you will not care if I ride with you?" She asked. "I am a trifle
frightened."

"Why, I'd be some pleased if yu do, 'though there ain't nothing out here
to be afraid of now."

"I had no intention of getting lost," she assured him, "but I dismounted
to pick flowers and cactus leaves and after a while I had no conception
of where I was."

"How is it yu are out