Meanwhile Evelyn was running toward a bunker which stood across her path; it was the only break in the level of the course that offered any hope of refuge. She could hear the pounding of the steer's hoofs, and less distinctly the pattering hoofbeat of the pony. She had had a long run and was breathing hard. The bunker seemed the remotest thing in the world as she ran down the course; then suddenly it rose a mile high, and as she scaled its rough slope and sank breathlessly into the sand, Saxton cast the lariat. With mathematical nicety the looped rope cut the air and the noose fell about the broad horns of the Texan as his fore feet struck the bunker. The pony stood with firmly planted hoofs, supporting the taut rope as steadfastly as a rock. The owner of the pony came panting up, and another of the drovers who had ridden into the arena joined them. "Here's your cow," said Saxton. The steer was, indeed, any one's for the taking, as he was winded and the spirit had gone out of him. "You won't need another rope on him; he'll follow the pony." "You threw that rope all right," said the dismounted drover. "An old woman taught me with a clothes line," said John, kicking his feet out of the stirrups; "take your pony." "Where's that girl?" asked one of the men. "I guess she's all right," answered Saxton, walking toward the bunker. "You'd better get your cow out of here; this isn't free range, you know." He mounted the bunker with a jump and looked anxiously down into the sand-pit. "Good afternoon, Mr. Saxton. You see I'm bunkered. Is it safe to come out?" "Is it you, Miss Porter?" said Saxton, jumping down into the sand. "Are you hurt?" "No; but I'll not say that I'm not scared." She was still panting from her long run, and her cheeks were scarlet. She put up her hands to her hair, which had tumbled loose. "This is really the wild West, after all; and that was a very pretty throw you made." "It seemed necessary to do something. But you couldn't have seen it?" "Another case of woman's curiosity. Perhaps I ought to turn into a pillar of salt. I peeped! I suppose it was in the hope that I might play hide and seek with that wild beast as he came over after me, but you stopped his flight just in time." She had restored her hair as she talked. "Where is that caddy of mine?" "Oh, the boys took to the fence to get a better view of the show. They're coming up now." Evelyn stood up quickly, and shook her skirt free of sand. "I need hardly say that I'm greatly obliged to you," she said, giving him her hand. Saxton was relieved to find that she took the incident so coolly.