One of them on this occasion was Jackman, who was taking the place of a rider who had strained his ankle on the previous night.

Jackman had been drinking, not heavily, or Derrick would have noticed the fact, but just enough to make him unsteady and uncertain, and in attempting to leap from the ground to the horse while it was in motion he missed and sprawled on the tan.
A roar of ridicule rose from the cheaper part of the house.

Jackman sprang to his feet, ran across the ring, and made another attempt; and failed again.

The roar of mockery rose now like one vast derisive cheer.
Jackman, glaring round the audience, his lips drawn from his teeth in a snarl, waited till the horse came round, then struck at it, as if to show that the animal and not he was in fault.
The laughter, derision, gave place suddenly to a yell of objurgation.
Two young men, obviously cowboys, sprang over the low barrier, and Jackman, after a moment's hesitation, turned and ran.

One of the cowboys caught the horse, and the audience, breathless and silent now, waited for events.