Tad laughed aloud. He now saw that it was to be a race between the steer and his own pony. The odds, however, were in favor of the steer, for Stacy Brown was pacing him at a lively gait, and Tad was still some distance behind. The latter's pony was straining every muscle to overhaul the muley. Tad finally slipped the lariat from the saddle bow. Swinging the great loop above his head, he sent it squirming through the air. At that instant the muley changed its course a little and the rope missed its mark by several feet. Now it was dragging behind the running pony. By this time Tad had fallen considerably behind. He took up the race again with stubborn determination. Coiling the rope as he rode on, he made another throw. The noose fell fairly over the head of the muley steer, this time. Profiting by a previous experience, the lad took a quick turn about the pommel of the saddle. The pony braced itself, ploughing up the ground with its little hoofs as it did so. A jolt followed that nearly threw Tad from his saddle. The muley steer's head was suddenly jerked to one side and the next instant the animal lay flat on its back, its heels wildly beating the air. "Whoop!" shouted Tad in high glee, waving his hat triumphantly to the watching cowpunchers. The steer was up in a moment, with Tad Butler watching him narrowly. "Cast your rope over his head, Chunky." Chunky made a throw and missed. The angry steer rose to its feet and charged him. Stacy Brown held the muleys in wholesome awe, though, having no horns, they were the least dangerous of the herd. "Yeow!" shrieked Chunky, putting spurs to his pony and getting quickly out of harm's way. The steer was after him at a lively gallop, with Tad Butler and his pony in tow. Tad had prudently shaken out the reins when he saw the animal preparing to take up the chase again. Waiting until the steer had gotten under full headway, the lad watched his chance, then pulled his pony up sharply. This time the muley's head was jerked down with such violence that it turned a partial somersault, landing on its back with a force that must have knocked the breath out of it. Again and again did Tad repeat these tactics, the pony seemingly enjoying the sport fully as much as did the boy himself. After a time he succeeded in getting the unruly beast headed toward the herd. Once he had done that he let the animal have its head and they sailed back over the trail at a speed that made the cowboys laugh. Tad seemed to be driving the steer, with Stacy Brown riding well up to the animal's flanks, laying on his quirt to hasten its speed, every time he got a chance. As they neared the herd, Tad in attempting to release the rope from the pommel let it slip through his hands. The lad was chagrined beyond words. "Rope him quick, Chunky!" he cried.