Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1882-02-16


| Nasco having about equally as good
, horses-lt was pretty well understood
among the spectators that ae (Marto)
was the secRtely favored, and there
fore the one by whom Benjamina
meant to be captured.
If this was the case, however, that
she would nave to manGuvre very
Shrewdly, fer such was the energy Of
Manuelo AMI Nasco that she more
than once escaped having the game
snatched out of her hands by one or
the other of rhese two.
At one tine a lucky clump of chap
arral alone saved her from Manuelo's s
clutch; and then again Vasco was so
close upon her, with flashing eyes and
outstretched arms, that she only es-
capped by tlinging herself On the side
OF her pony, and bringing it to such
a sudden halt that her pursuer shot
fer ahead in advance. Then, before
he could recorer himself, she was
securing another quarter of the plat
eau, in dangerous proximity to the
poorly mounted Mario, whose other
rival just then dhanced to get tempo
rarily mixed up in small cactus
thicket.
Presently they all four disappeared
behind a series of clumps, about a
dozen rods away. and their reappear-
ance was awaited with no little sus-
Ipense, for it wss felt that the result
would there be decided.
1t was so, but in Il manner not al
together looked for.
Benjamina first burst into view, in
Il narrow space between the two cac-
tus clumps. and so closely pursued
hy Manuelo that his outstretched hand
was among the raven mcshes of her
oHlhlO"n Ha1f.
But She successfully executed the
same trick upon him. which she played
shortly before upon Nasco-that is,
throwing herself upon her ponv's
neck and coming to q stop so sudden
ly rs to cause him to miss his grasp.
and then 90 plunging ahead far be-
yond her.
But in this instance she was more
tardy i'll recovering her equilibrium
than before. Indeed. before She
could do so and get away again, Vas
co. who had been following closely
behind Manuelo. spurred down upon
her like Il whirlwind, giving uttcrance
to wild and triumphant cry.
But neither was the prize of youth
and beauty for him.
When Nasco was midway in his on
ward rush, Mario. who had made an
unexpected detour, suddenly sprang
out of the cacti to the left, and col
lided upon his rivals flank with such
Il shock that NascO's saddle -girth was
burst aSunder, and he went founder
ING in the dust, while his ridcrlcSs
steed galloped far away.
Then Benjamina dashed away in
the clumps once more, with Mario close
upon her heels, the other twin bring
ing up Il furious bat almost hopeless
rear.
The suspense of the spectators was
now wrought up to the maddest pitch,
but it was Of brief duration.
While the unhorscd Nasco picked
himself up, with II peculiarly mur-
derous expression on his dark face,
there first galloped into view Bcnja-
mina's pony without rider. Then.
amid q storm of applause from tho
on-lOokers, came the favored MartC
with the girl in his arms
Riding after them came Manuelo
with Il pale check and lowering brow
his smile of easy confidence having
given place to smothcred rage anC
discomfort though, for that matter
his disappointment was resignation
self compared with Nasco's. whose
aspect was more like that of haniet
ficnd than anything else | could con
ceiye of.
Though pale from her riding, Ben
. jamina's handsome face was wreathc,
; in smiles, rs she was brought in tt
receive the congratulations of he
friends; and she seemed joyous that
according to the custom of her peo
pie. there was no appeal from tn,
result of the trial to which she hat
submitted herself.
The cnraged Vasco, however, wa
already giving vent to his dissap
, pointment and to threats of dire ven
= geance, in spite of the laughs an'
ieers that beset him on every side.
Il was cheated by Il base trick
robbed by the meanest treachcry!'
| we overheard him exclaim, in the vii
| )lainously mongrel Spanish that form
|, the dialect of these people. "Cdrajo
5 | will not submit to it,
t Peace, Vasco." said Manuelo
mournfully. II, like thee, hav
n been defeated in the race. The fate
: were against us both.'
' sCardmba, no! 1t was not fate
$ but the reachery of thy brother
that lost her to me at least,' hoarsel,
= Accelerated Nasco. ''Let him loo]
: to himself! A fortnight must We
h elapse before the marriage. Ere tha
: shall come to pass"
: Here roar of disapprobatiol
f drowned his passionate words, an,
/ my companion and / rode away.