"All right!" the man said; and they at once proceeded to mark out a distance of seven hundred paces, which they both agreed was somewhere about half-way between a quarter and half a mile. A wand, to which Broncho attached his neckerchief, was stuck up as the winning-post, while a low bush marked the point from which they had started to measure. The news soon spread through the camp, and many of the cow-boys of the other ranches strolled in to find out what the
men thought of their chances, and to see whether they were disposed to back their horse. Hugh, however, persuaded them not to risk their money.
"You see," he said, "my horse didn't beat Broncho's by much."
"No more did the other chap, Hugh; he just jumped two lengths ahead, and after that Broncho held him."
"Yes, I know that," Hugh replied, "but we don't know that he was doing his best."
"That is so," Broncho agreed. "He knew he had got me, and there was no use in giving his horse away. I expect he had got a bit in hand. I don't think it is good enough to bet on. Now let us get this money together."
Twenty of the men put down their five dollars at once; and as the others wished also to have a share, Broncho Harry said, "Well, you three put in your five dollars each, and Hugh and I will make it up to fifty. Like enough they will be laying odds on their horse, especially when they find we won't bet, so that at the last moment I will take them up for this fifty, and if we win we will put it to the stakes and divide up all round."
The proposal was at once agreed to.
Towards the afternoon they found that the