These are the rules of the contest: "None but those two, Don Jose Pacheco and Senor Allen, will be permitted within the square we have marked off for them after the first signal shot is fired.

They will toss a coin for first position and will start from opposite ends of the ground.

At the signal, which will be a pistol shot, they will mount and ride with the center rope between them.

Upon meeting"-- he stopped long enough for a quick smile--"they will try what they can do.

If both miss, they will coil their riatas and hang them from the horn, and ride on to the end; there they will dismount and wait for the second signal for starting.
"They will repeat these maneuvers until the contest is decided, one way or the other, but at no time will they start before the signal is given.
"Remember, no one else will be permitted inside the line, at any time; also, neither of the contestants may pass the dividing line unless he has the other at his mercy--when--he may cross if he chooses." It cost Dade something, that last sentence, but he said it firmly; repeated the rules more briefly in English and rode out of the square, a vaquero slackening the first riata of the line to leave a space for him to pass.
And as he went, there was nothing in his manner to show how ticklish he felt the situation to be.
Only, when he came upon Jack, just riding out from the stable upon Surry, his lips drew tight and thin.