ng to back his
friendship with money as well as with every fiber of his loyal being,
and turned sourly to Bill. "I've got something like six or eight
hundred, in dust," he said. "Lend me enough to make it a thousand, and
put 'er up. Take any odds they offer, damn 'em. It'll be blood money,
win or lose, but--put 'er up. They can't yowl around that I'm afraid to
back him down to my boots."

"That's the kinda talk!" approved Bill. "Make 'em take water all around,
the swine! And the boys'll see they cough up afterwards, too. I guess--"
He checked himself and went out, still grinning.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE DUEL OF RIATAS

"They're riding the last bull," announced Dade, coming into the room
again where Jack was dressing for the supreme test of the day. "I've got
your plan for the ground explained to Valencia and Pancho, and Diego's
shining Surry up till you can see your face in him. You ought to be
thankful there's somebody on the lookout as faithful as that Injun. I
just discovered he hasn't had a bite to eat since last night, because he
wouldn't leave Surry long enough to get anything. I hope you're
grateful."

"I am," said Jack shortly. "But I've no business to be. Right now I
don't believe much in the sloppy whine of gratitude or the limber-backed
prayer for mercy. Thankful or not, we get what we get. Fate hands it out
to us; and we may as well take it and keep our mouths shut."

"That's the result of cooping yourself in here all day, just thinking
and smoking cigarettes," grumbled Dade, himself worried to the point of
nervous petulance. If he could have taken his own riata and fought
also, he would have been much nearer his usual calm, humorous self.

"Say, I told Jose the rules you suggested, and he agreed to every one
like a gentleman. He just came, and Manuel with him leading the horse
Jose means to use; a big, black brute with a chest on him like a lion.
His crowd stood on their hind legs and yelled themselves purple when
they saw him come riding up."

"Well, that's what they've come for--to yell over Jose." Jack held three
new neckties to the light, trying to choose the one he would wear.

"Say--" Dade hesitated, looking doubtfully at the other.

"Well? Say it." Jack chose a deep crimson and flung the loop over his
head as if he were arraying himself for a ball.

"It may be some advantage to know ... I've watched Jose lasso cattle; he
always uses--"

"Step right there!" Jack swung to face him. "