And then, of course, there was the gorgeous contrast between all this frantic and uncomprehending excitement and the absolute matter-of-fact imperturbability of horse and rider.

Once at the fire, one of the men seized the tightened rope in one hand, reached well over the animal's back to get a slack of the loose hide next the belly, lifted strongly, and tripped.

This is called "bull-dogging." As he knew his business, and as the calf was a small one, the little beast went over promptly, bit the ground with a whack, and was pounced upon and held.
Such good luck did not always follow, however.

An occasional and exceedingly husky bull yearling declined to be upset in any such manner.

He would catch himself on one foot, scramble vigorously, and end by struggling back to the upright.