"And I want to see some of their fancy riding," added the senator's son. "It will be a real Wild West show." "And no fifty cents admission, either," said Phil, with a grin. "I hope nobody gets hurt," said Jessie, timidly. "Oh, they are generally more careful than you think," answered Mr. Endicott. "But bronco-busting is dangerous, isn't it?" questioned Laura. "Yes,--for anybody who has had no experience. But Todd and some of the others can saddle and ride any pony in these parts." All went out to the stretch of plain where the contest was to take place. The little stand was there, true enough, and to the four corners were nailed four flags--two of the Stars and Stripes, and one each of the two ranches, that of the Endicotts having a blue field with the words, Star Ranch, in white. The word had been passed around for a good many miles, and consequently a crowd numbering over a hundred had assembled on the field, including half a dozen ladies and several children. The cowboys were out "on parade," as Mr. Endicott expressed it, and each wore his best riding outfit, and had his horse and trappings "slicked up" to the last degree. All wore their largest Mexican sombreros, and, taken together, they formed a truly picturesque assemblage. "Puts me in mind of gypsies," said Laura. "Only they haven't their wives and children with them." "And they aren't telling fortunes," added Jessie. The sport began with some fancy riding in which eight of the cowboys, four from each ranch, participated. The cowboys would ride like the wind and leap off and on their steeds, turn from frontwards to backwards, slide from the saddle under their horses' necks and up into the saddle again, and lean low to catch up handkerchiefs and hats left on the grass for that purpose. Then they did some fancy vaulting, over bars and brushwood, and while riding two and even four horses. "Good! good!" shouted Dave. "Isn't that fine!" "Best I ever saw!" answered Roger, and everybody in the crowd applauded vigorously. After the fancy riding came some shooting while in the saddle, both at stationary objects and at things sprung into the air from a trap. The repeated crack! crack! crack! of the pistols and rifles scared some of the girls a little, but the boys enjoyed the spectacle thoroughly, and marveled at some of the shots made. "Game wouldn't stand much chance with those chaps," remarked Dave. "They could hit a running deer or a flying bird without half trying." The shooting at an end, the cowboys brought out their best lassoes and showed what could be done in landing the circlets over running steers and horses. Here Sid Todd was in his element, and the way he managed his lasso, one of extra length at that, brought out tremendous applause. "He is the best lasso-thrower in these parts," said Mr. Endicott. "No one can compare with him." "Well, he is a good shot, too," said Dave. "And he rides well also."