CHAPTER VI
THE ROPING CONTEST
With a chorus of "co-ees" and wild yells the cowboys of Silver Ranch dashed away on the race after the huge black and white steer. And Jane Ann, on her bay mustang, was right up with the leaders in the wild rush. It was indeed an inspiring sight, and the boys and girls from the East urged their own mounts on after the crowd with eagerness.
"See Nita ride! isn't she just wonderful?" cried Helen.
"I don't think there's anything wonderful about it," sneered The Fox, in her biting way. "She was almost born on horseback, you know. It's as natural to her as breathing."
"Bu—bu—but it shakes—you up—a good—bit more—than breath—breathing!" gasped Heavy, as her pony jounced her over the ground.
Tom and Bob had raced ahead after the cowboys, and Ruth was right behind them. She had learned to sit the saddle with ease now, and she was beginning to learn to swing a rope; Ike was
