all.  If he should chance to be thrown, then the prize shall be forfeited to the other contestant, who will also be required to ride the horse before you all.  If he also shall fail to ride the caballo, then will the horse revert to Don Andres, who will keep him for his own saddle horse!” He waited while the applause at this sly bit of humor gradually diminished into the occasional pistol-popping of enthusiastic palms, and gestured for silence that he might speak again.

“I am also instructed to inform you that not alone for the prize which Don Andres offers will the contest be fought.  I am requested to announce that the Texas vaquero, Senor Jack Allen, hereby publicly challenges Don Jose Pacheco to contest for the gold medal which now rests in the possession of Don Jose.  Senors and Senoras, I thank you for attending so graciously to my words, and I wish to ask for continued attention while I announce the sports to these Americanos who do not understand the Spanish, and who are also the guests of Don Andres Picardo, your host.”

He bowed low before them, turned and told Bill Wilson’s solemnly attentive crowd what was to take place after the feast.  Not so elaborate; terse, that he might not try the politeness of that other crowd too far.  And when he was done he stopped himself on the verge of saying more, reconsidered and, trusting to the fact that scarce a Spaniard there spoke English, added a warning.

“I hope you all realize,” he said, “that we’re anxious to have everything go off peaceably.  We look to you men to see that, whatever may happen, there shall be no disturbance.  Such things are easier started than stopped; and, just as a hint of what will do the most to keep the peace, I want to announce that the water on this rancho can’t be beat, and can safely be used for drinking purposes!”

“Water goes, m’ son, or I’ll know the reason why,” called Bill Wilson, and the palms of his crowd clapped vigorous assent.

“That thar’s the sensiblest thing you’ve said, so fur,” approved Jerry Simpson, beside Bill.  “Me an’ the twins’ll stand guard, if necessary, and see’t that thar hint is took.”  Whereat Bill Wilson clapped him on the shoulder approvingly.

There was the hum of confusion while the hungry sought the barbecue pits.  Dade, his face settled into gloomy foreboding in spite of certain heartening circumstances, went slowly away to his room; where Jack, refusing to take any interest in the sports, lay sprawled upon the bed with a cigarette gone cold between his lips and his eyes fixed hardly upon the ceiling.

Dade gave him a look to measure the degree of his unapproachable mood, sighed wearily and flung his silver-spangled sombrero petulantly into a corner.

“Damn!” he said viciously, as if his vocabulary was so inadequate to voice his emotions that the one expletive would do as well as any to cover his meaning; and sat down heavily in a cushioned chair.