Silent saw the beast coming, but could not avoid those menacing horns. Those near him heard a groan, and the puncher thrust out his hands, as though to ward off the impending danger.
But it was Teddy, who was closest to him, Teddy, whose face was dripping blood, that saved Silent’s life. There was but one thing to do, and Teddy did it.
He left his feet and made a football dive toward Silent. His outstretched arms swept the puncher from under the hoofs of that cow—from under the sharp hoofs that would have trampled the puncher in another moment. The cow went on up the runway and into the car. Teddy and Silent hit the ground together, and were pulled from further danger by ready hands. The fight was over.
The contestants were led into the shade of the station, and Roy put his hands on Teddy’s shoulders.
“Let’s see,” he said.
The cut on Teddy’s cheek was red and angry looking, but not deep. Silent was a bit worse, as one of his eyes was closed and he seemed unable to walk straight. But he staggered over to Teddy.
“Buddy,” he said breathlessly, “thanks!”
Teddy nodded. “All right! Say—” he hesitated. “What was the idea of hitting the cow with that thing?”
Silent touched his chin tenderly.
“Baby, you sure can sock! Oh, that cow? I saw her duck her head. She’d have started a break in another second. I had to take her mind off it quick. Sometimes cows are like that. Hey, I ain’t apologizin’!” This last rather frantically. “What I done, I done! Only, I never hit a cow with that thing unless there’s danger. I reckon—” he drew a deep breath—“I’ll sit down.”