"Judge of riatas?
You wait till you see him with one in his hand!" Manuel's teeth shone briefly, but the smile did not come from his heart.

"Me, I shall surely bring the senor a riata worthy even of his skill," he declared sententiously, as he walked away with his bridle slung over his arm and his back very straight.
"That sounded sarcastic," commented Jack, looking after him.

"What's the matter?
Is the old fellow jealous ?" Dade flicked his cigarette against the trunk of the oak to remove the white crown of ashes, and shook his head.

"What of ?" he asked bluntly.

"Half your trouble, Jack, comes from looking for it.