Big-foot Sanders had heard, and began working like an automatic machine. The way the cattle, big and little, fell away before his plunging pony and ready quirt was an object lesson for those of the Pony Riders who were near enough to see his effort.
In the thick of it was Ned Rector, driving his pony here and there, anxiously watching for the white steer.
"There he is!" shouted Ned, suddenly espying the animal still dashing about.
"Where?"
"There, to the right of you!"
Forcing his mount through the crowded ranks, Stallings in a moment found himself within reach of the white beast. However, there were three or four cattle between himself and the one he wanted.
The foreman's rope circled in the air above his head, then the great loop squirmed out over the backs of the cattle, dropping lightly over the horns of the white one.
The steer felt the touch of the rope and knew the meaning of it. As the animal sprang forward, Stallings took a quick turn about the pommel of his saddle and the pony braced its fore feet. When the shock came, the cattle over whose backs the rope lay felt it even more than did the pony itself. Three of them were forced to their knees bawling with sudden fright and pain.
The head of the white steer was jerked to one side. A swing of the rope and the steer was thrown heavily.
"Get in there!" roared Stallings.