"Remember, I haven't called time," warned the foreman. "You are still roping."
Tad knew that, but he did not wish to take an unfair advantage.
The cowboy looked up with a startled expression on his face, but nodded and began hauling in his rope when he noted that Tad was making no move.
His rope was in.
"All ready," he said.
So was Tad. The boy's lariat shot gracefully through the air, landing neatly over the cowman's shoulders where it was quickly jerked taut before the other fully realized what had happened.
CHAPTER XIX
WRECKED IN AN ORE CAR
It was all the ranch owner could do to keep peace after Tad Butler had so cleverly outwitted his adversary in the rope throwing contest. Yet, though the defeated man was fairly beside himself with rage, the cowboys generally favored fair play.
Their companion had been beaten in a fair contest, principally because his opponent had been quicker witted.