“That’s funny,” laughed Connie. “Blakeman was saying almost the same thing to me about you. By the way, where did you work before you came to the Rainbow, Jim?”
“Oh, one place and another,” the man answered vaguely. “Mostly on ranches down in Texas.”
Without giving Connie an opportunity to ask another question, he moved away.
“He certainly means to keep his past his own,” the girl reflected thoughtfully. “I never met anyone so reserved. I wonder if perhaps he hasn’t been in trouble sometime?”
Connie dismissed the matter from her mind because it was time for the opening parade. She rode in it, side by side with Enid Bradshaw. The other girl nodded almost curtly to Connie, offering no remark save to ask about her injured shoulder.
Connie tried not to show her hurt at Enid’s attitude. It only made her more determined than ever to win in the riding event.
The preliminary contests were quickly run off. Roping events, steer riding and Indian races excited but passing interest.
At last the bulldogging event was called. Several cowboys from the Bar Six Ranch performed with a skill which brought cheers from the crowd. The steer was allowed a thirty foot start after he had rushed from the pen. Then horse and rider were after him, with a hazer to keep the animal in a straight course. Catching the steer by the horns, the cowboy would hurl himself from the saddle, and twist the animal’s horns until he rolled over in the dust.
“Bring on Blakeman!” shouted the crowd. “Let’s see him throw Catapult!”
Lefty glanced anxiously toward the stanchion, trying to catch Jack Crawford’s eye. He need have had no fears, for just then the gate opened and a large rangy animal was driven in.