“You can’t have it!” came in a flash from the lips of the foreman of the Lone Star.
“Can’t?” asked Bart, in astonishment, as Charlie pushed forward. “How is that? I do not understand, sir.”
“You have not won it.”
“Haven’t? I think you are mistaken. Didn’t you see——”
“I saw the fellow get on Firebrand’s back and stay there a short time, but that was all.”
“That was enough.”
“He did not break the broncho.”
“I didn’t bet that he would. I bet he would ride any horse on the ranch, and he has done it. The money is mine.”
“Pecos Pete would have broken the animal. Merriwell must do that before the money is yours.”
“Not much,” smiled Frank, who came up in time to overhear the man’s words. “I heard the terms of the wager, and Hodge wins. He bet I could ride the horse, and I will leave it to anybody present if I did not do so. I did not agree to break the creature, and I did not try. That’s all.”