His boots had filled and he was soaked to the waist; he knew that if he left the horse and swam for it he had small chance of success. He was not a strong swimmer at best, and even if he managed to get to the bank its sides were too high and steep for him to climb out without assistance. He looked at Wallie's implacable face, but he saw no weakening there, it was a matter of a moment more when the horse would go under and come up feet first.
"Throw me the rope!" His voice vibrating with chagrin and rage admitted his defeat.
Wallie measured the distance with his eye, adjusted the loop, and as it cut the air above his head Canby held up his hands to catch it when it dropped.
"Good work!" Pinkey cried as it shot out and hit its mark. "You never made a better throw than that, old kid!"
Canby slipped the loop under his arm and, as he took his feet from the stirrups, shouted for them to tighten up.
The horse, relieved of his weight, took heart and struck out for the opposite bank, where a little dirt slide enabled it to scramble out. Shaking and dripping, at last it stood still at the top, while Canby, a dead weight, was dragged over the edge to dry land.
There was as much fury as relief in his face when he stood up and started to loosen the rope around his chest.
Wallie stopped him with a gesture.
"No, you don't! I take no chances when I play with crooks. You make out that check."
"Isn't my word good?" Canby demanded.
"Not so far as I can throw my horse."
"I haven't a check-book," he lied.
"Get it, Pink."
The check-book and indelible pencil which every sheep and cattleman carries were in the inside pocket of his coat.
"Fill it out." Wallie passed the pencil to him. "And don't leave off a cipher by mistake."
"I refuse to be coerced!" Canby declared, defiantly. "I'll keep my word, but I didn't say when."
"I'm setting the date," Wallie replied, coolly, "and that's just four minutes and a half from now," taking out his watch. "If I haven't got the check by then you'll pay for those locoed horses, too, or I'll throw you back."
"You don't dare!"
"When you haven't anything to lose you'll do considerable to get 'hunks' and that's my fix. Besides, I need the money. Two minutes left--think fast."
"You'll sweat blood for this before I'm through with you!"
"Time's up--yes or no?"
Canby gritted his teeth.