start half
way to that bush and still beat you there!"

"How about me? If there's a race, I'm in it too!" cried Dick.

"All right. Tell you what--we'll start from here, and the last man
there has to kiss a sheep!"

"Right! All set? Ready--go!"

"Ye-e-e-ow!"

"Yip-yip-yip-yipee-ee!"

"Ride 'em cowboy!"

"Leggo that leather!"

"Gangway--gangway!"

The five riders flashed over the ground almost on a line. Kid's mount
was running easily, head well up. Dick pulled a little ahead. Nort
just touched his pony with the spurs, and in a moment he was even with
Dick. There was a sudden rush behind them--and Old Billee Dobb, hat
fanning his pony's withers, hair streaming in the wind, streaked to the
front!

"Look at the old boy go!"

"Stay at it, Billee--stay at it!"

"Two bits he wins!"

And win he did. He reached the bush a full length ahead of the others,
who were laughing so hard they could hardly stay on their horses. The
spectacle of the gaunt, elderly man sitting straight up in the saddle,
teeth clenched and bowed legs wrapped around his pony, was too much for
them. They leaned on their pommels weakly and roared with laughter.

"Attaboy, Billee!"

"Golly--did you see the old boy streak it out!"

"Oh, cracky! hold me up, somebody, or I'll fall off!"

"Now--who's gettin'--old!" panted Billee. "Beat me, hey? Not in--a
million years!"

"What do you say, boys--we give Billee a salute!"

Four guns flashed out of the holsters and were raised aloft.

"Bang!"

They roared as one.

"Sure sounds like a celebration," chuckled Nort as he blew the few
remaining grains of burnt powder from his smoking barrel, and replaced
the gun. "Billee, accept my congratulations!"

"Granted, youngster--if that's what I'm supposed to say," Billee
retorted, his eyes twinkling. "And just remember--a man's not old out
here until he can't ride no more."

"You look as though you might be good for several hundred years yet, if
that's the case," laughed Dick. "Anyway, you sure showed me a few
things. Say, that race made me pretty thirsty. Is there a water hole
near here, Kid, or shall I use my canteen?"

"Save it--I think I can find water for you. Guess the ponies could use
a little too. Let's see now--'pears to me there should be a water hole
right over here to the left. You boys stay here while I go look. Be
back in a jiffy."

Leaving the four on the trail, Yellin' Kid rode swiftly away to the
left.