"They are getting ready to draw. You had better go over," advised the rancher.
Tad found that they were not only getting ready, but that most of the men had already drawn. Only one "rope" slip had been taken from the hat, however, so there still was a chance.
He rode up to the foreman, who was holding the hat from which the drawing was being done.
"May I draw?" he asked.
"Do you know how to sling a rope, kid?"
"A little," answered Tad, with an embarrassed smile, for the cowmen were making uncomplimentary remarks about letting babies into a man's game. The boy's face burned, but he gave no heed to their ungentlemanly remarks.
The foreman held up the hat. Tad leaned over and drew from it a slip of paper.
"Next—who draws next?" demanded the foreman.
"If it will save you any trouble, I might suggest that it isn't necessary to draw further," Tad informed him, with the suspicion of a smile on his face.
"What's that?" asked the foreman sharply.