As the pistol went off, both horses gave an extra bound forward. The two young riders were almost unseated, but each quickly recovered. Then they bent low over their steeds' necks and went forward for the finish. It was a thrilling moment, Dave and Roger side by side, Phil at their heels, and Sid Todd further back, firing another shot or two, "just for fun," in true cowboy fashion. But Roger had urged his horse to the limit and could do no better. As Dave clucked again, Hero shot ahead, a foot, a yard, and soon several yards. Then Phil came up abreast of the senator's son, and thus they kept until the edge of the woods was gained. "Dave wins!" cried Sid Todd. "An' a good race, boys,--a good race all around." "Yes, Dave wins!" answered Phil. "My, but your horse did go it at the finish!" he added, admiringly. "A fine animal," said Roger. "But mine is fine, too, even if he didn't come in first," he added, loyally. "You all rode well--better nor I expected," was Sid Todd's comment. "It was a good race. I wish the others on the ranch had seen it,--they wouldn't call you tenderfeet no more!" CHAPTER XIII THE CRAZY STEER In the shade of the woods the boys rested their steeds for a few minutes, and as they did this the cowboy told them of some of the races he had seen in the past on Star Ranch. "One of the greatest races was between one o' the cowboys and an Indian named Crowfoot Joe," said the cowboy. "The Indian was sure he was going to win, but he lost by a neck. That race took place two years ago, but the boys in these parts ain't done tellin' about it yet. We had a full holiday the time it come off." "I think your horse is just as good as mine," said Dave to Roger. "But I fancy you pressed him a little too hard at the start." "He is just as good, an' so is the hoss Phil is ridin'," came from Sid Todd. "It was the ridin' did it. Dave managed his mount just right." And this open praise made the youth from Crumville blush. "Just wait till Jessie hears how he won," said the shipowner's son. "She'll weave a laurel crown for his brow and----" "Don't you say a word about it!" cried Dave, and blushed more than ever. "I didn't win by so very much, anyway." Forward the party went, through the woods, and then in the direction of the foothills beyond. The race had not hurt the horses in the least, for all of them were tough and used to hard usage. They were following a well-defined trail, but presently branched off to the southward and commenced to climb the first of the hills. "That hollow is about quarter of a mile from here," explained the cowboy. "Be careful now, or your horse will get into a hole, an' maybe break a leg." And then they went forward with added caution, into the midst of a growth of low bushes, dotted here and there with sagebrush.