And making a semicircle the shipowner's son came up behind the steer, leaped to the ground, caught hold of the lasso, and sprang back into the saddle, almost as quick as it takes to tell it.

Then he made the rope fast to his pommel and turned his horse back.
The steer was but two yards away from Roger and Dave when the rope on his foreleg suddenly tightened, and he found himself brought to a halt.
He gave a wild snort, and, just as Roger found himself at liberty, he turned and gazed angrily at Phil and his steed.

Then he charged in that direction.
"Ride for it, Phil!" called Dave, but this warning was unnecessary, for the shipowner's son was already galloping across the field as rapidly as the nature of the ground permitted.

The horse easily kept the lasso taut, thus worrying the steer not a little.
By Dave's aid Roger managed to hobble to where the other horses were tethered, and soon both boys were in the saddle and riding after Phil and the steer.
"I guess the steer is getting winded," said Dave, coming closer.

"He doesn't seem to have as much fight in him as he did." Around and around, in a broad circle, went Phil and his horse and the steer.