Page:The Trail Rider (1924).pdf/55

 friends. Now they came pouring down into the arena, while other people who had put money on the local favorite, perhaps, or perhaps out of a spirit of fairness, stood protesting to each other, comparing Records, facing angrily toward the judges. In this part of the spectators were many cowboys. These now began to draw together and move down into the arena.

At the announcement of the judges' decision, Hartwell saw Sallie McCoy's face grow white. He looked into the eyes of Winch and the cowboy, and saw there what they in turn read in his. As if given a command to march, they turned and bore down on the judges.

Already these smiling tricksters were receiving the congratulations and thanks of the clique of gamesters with whom they had arranged the plot for a big clean-up. Led by Texas, the three champions of Sallie McCoy pushed through the crowd. Texas stood before the young man who had made the announcement and laid hold of his bridle.

"I know it ain't goin' to do a bit of good to pro-test to this decision you've made—"

"Then shut your fly trap!" the young man advised.

"But I want to ex-press my sentiments to your faces," Texas continued, holding back his wrath