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As to a signal the bronco rose, and the battle was on again

But this time the victory was not in doubt to the onlookers after the first half-dozen jumps For this man rode like awhich ran theht-clamped

This brown, lithe man was all bone and sinew and muscle He rode like a Centaur, as if he were a part of the horse, as easily and gracefully as a chip does the waves The outlaas furious with hate, blind with aand fence-rowing could not shake the perfect poise of the rider, nor tinge with fear the glad fighting edge that throbbed like a trumpet-call in the blood

Slowly the certainty of this sifted to the anirew less volcanic, died presently into fitful mechanical rises and falls that foretold the finish Its spirit broken, with that terrible incubus of a huave up, and for the first ti his head in token of defeat

Dick tossed the bridle to Yeager and swung off

"There aren't any of them so bad, if a felloill stay with the, partner?" asked the puncher with the scarlet kerchief knotted around his neck

"I used to ride for an outfit up in Wyo," returned Dick

"Well, I'd like to ride for that outfit, if all the boys stick to the saddle like you," returned the kerchiefed one

Gordon did not explain that he had been returned winner in -bronco contest in the days when he rode the range

He was already sauntering toward the house

Fro to take hi on a chair and watched the approach of the stalwart figure that cas He had hobbled here and watched the other do easily what had been beyond him

His heart was bitter with the sense of defeat, none the less because this man whom he had lately tried to kill had just saved his life

"Co in front of him to brush dust from his trousers with a pocket-handkerchief

PedroUnder his olive skin the color burned Tears of mortification were in his eyes

"You saved my life, señor Take it It is yours," the boy cried