Page:Patches (1928).pdf/221

 men. Each was equipped with a megaphone, a pair of strong lungs and a stentorian voice. Previous to each event these three men lifted their megaphones and sent the announcements ringing across the intervale to the twenty-five thousand spectators seated on the bluffs.

The first event, in honor to the ladies, was the cow girls' mile and a half relay race. Each cow girl was allowed three horses, usually her own string, and two helpers. It was a half mile track and when a contestant came sweeping around to the finish of the first half mile on her madly racing pony, she had to bring him to a dead stop, changing the saddle and bridle to another horse which her first helper was holding and then when everything was in readiness, they were off again. The lightning cinch was most valuable in this race, merely a sharp pull and a twist of the wrist and the trick was done. It was incredible how quick these expert horse-women could change the saddles and bridles on their steeds. When they came around the second time there was still another pony and another lightning change and they were off for the final lap. If a buckle stuck or there was any trouble in making the change the race was lost. It was quite as much a race of dexterity of change as it was a race of good horses.

The second event was even more spectacular and thrilling than the first for it was nothing more or