“Ther Buster and ther Copper have made a bet that one will drag t’other first at the heels of his hoss.” “I’ll bet two to one on the Buster!” cried Silver Sam. “I’ll do the same!” cried Diamond Jake. “Anybody take it?” “I’ll take ye.” “So will I.” The miners crowded forward with their money, and bets were made as free as water. Frank watched the scene with the interest of one viewing a phase of life wholly peculiar to the region about. The two cowboys had mounted and rode out upon the plain. Each had in his hand a long and powerful lariat. Each knew how to use it, and neither had a peer in the art. It was an even contest. How it would terminate only time would tell. Out upon the plain the two cowboys rode. When well out they began to make a circle about each other. Then the contest began. First one would throw his lasso, and then the other. High up into the air went the whirling cords. They would seem likely at any moment to settle about the cowboy’s head and shoulders. But the slightest movement, a touch of the knee against the well-trained ponies’ sides, would cause the lariat to fall wide. Hissing and curling through the air went the lariats again and again. In vain each tried to outwit the other. It was a duel wholly without precedent, and fascinating to watch. The “Buster” seemed to have the advantage for a time, but after a while his pony seemed to tire. Of course it was only a question of agility and endurance, and the end must come some time. Suddenly the Buster’s pony slipped, and quick as a flash Copper Jake’s lasso went out. It fairly sung its course through the air, and with accurate aim went down about the Buster’s shoulders. A quick jerk and the lasso tightened about the victim. The next moment he went off his pony’s back and was dragged a dozen feet upon the ground. Then Copper Jake raised his broad-brimmed hat and waved it aloft. He had won. He might have dragged his rival to death at his pony’s heels. But this he wisely refrained from doing. The crowd cheered, the Buster disentangled himself and rode into the camp much crestfallen and subdued. Frank could not repress a smile at the result of the contest. It was a contest wholly peculiar to Western life, seen in counterpart nowhere else upon the face of the earth. Diamond Jake and Silver Sam were around cashing their bets in their order but soon returned to Frank’s side. “Excuse us, strangers,” said Jake, with a grin. “P’r’aps seein’ the Buster unhossed warn’t quite so important as the bizness we were talkin’ about, but you’ll admit it was mighty interesting.” “Yes,” agreed Frank. “It was extremely interesting, I will own.” Silver Sam came up now. “Well, now that the scrap is over,” he said, brusquely, “let’s get to bizness.” “I am ready,” said Frank. “Good fer you. Then it’s decided, is it, that we go up and try to rout out the gang? If we can drive ’em down onto the plain you’ll look after ’em?”