Only upon considerable pressure did he reveal the reason.  “It was like this, don’t you know.  They were all together over there, watching each other.  Monty Price’s ball dropped into a hazard, and he moved it to improve the lie.  By Jove! they’ve all been doing that.  But over there the game was waxing hot.  Stillwell and his cowboys saw Monty move the ball, and there was a row.  They appealed to me.  I corrected the play, showed the rules.  Monty agreed he was in the wrong.  However, when it came to moving his ball back to its former lie in the hazard there was more blooming trouble.  Monty placed the ball to suit him, and then he transfixed me with an evil eye.

“‘Dook,’ he said.  I wish the bloody cowboy would not call me that.  ’Dook, mebbe this game ain’t as important as international politics or some other things relatin’, but there’s some health an’ peace dependin’ on it.  Savvy?  For some space our opponents have been dead to honor an’ sportsmanlike conduct.  I calculate the game depends on my next drive.  I’m placin’ my ball as near to where it was as human eyesight could.  You seen where it was same as I seen it.  You’re the umpire, an’, Dook, I take you as a honorable man.  Moreover, never in my born days has my word been doubted without sorrow.  So I’m askin’ you, wasn’t my ball layin’ just about here?’

“The bloody little desperado smiled cheerfully, and he dropped his right hand down to the butt of his gun.  By Jove, he did!  Then I had to tell a blooming lie!”

Castleton even caught the tone of Monty’s voice, but it was plain that he had not the least conception that Monty had been fooling.  Madeline and her friends divined it, however; and, there being no need of reserve, they let loose the fountains of mirth.

XIV Bandits

When Madeline and her party recovered composure they sat up to watch the finish of the match.  It came with spectacular suddenness.  A sharp yell pealed out, and all the cowboys turned attentively in its direction.  A big black horse had surmounted the rim of the mesa and was just breaking into a run.  His rider yelled sharply to the cowboys.  They wheeled to dash toward their grazing horses.

“That’s Stewart.  There is something wrong,” said Madeline, in alarm.

Castleton stared.  The other men exclaimed uneasily.  The women sought Madeline’s face with anxious eyes.

The black got into his stride and bore swiftly down upon them.

“Oh, look at that horse run!” cried Helen.  “Look at that fellow ride!”