San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-09-28

right instant, this time bringing up WITH n
tremendous impact on the monsters flank, so
that when Djeridgowka's revolutions were
resumed, as they were almost instantly, it
was with sullen, half gasping air, and with
perceptible limp that betokened more than
a tr'aing injury to his hips
Another thousand to five hundred on tn
white stallionI" vociferated Poindexter yet
again over the many voiced applause. "Is
it go, your excellencyi Grin go you three
to onel"
The rajah's Oriental composure had deep
ened into something more than Oriental
guinness; and his cruel gaze roamed from
tho tiger to the little begum-now radiant
with smoldering fierceness of dissatisfac-
ton; but he, nevertheless, inclined his head
majestically, and the third additional bet
was registered
But again and again was the tigers spring
repeated, and with no better success, save
that ON one occasion one Of his mighty fore
paws managed to fetch the brave steed long
raking stroke along the loins, ripping his
skin into strips and staining his silvery coat
with blood
1t was now foregone conclusion that
Nadgka would be the victor. The English
men roared themselves hoarse; even the ma
tives yelled their unrestrained delight, in
spite Of their royal masters frowning dis
pleasure; while little Mahala fairly clapped
her hands and bounded in her seat ct the side
Of her stern visaged protector.
But Djeridgowka, though plainly dis
pirited, had as yet suffered no positively dis,
abling injury, and it was quickly evident
that he intended to make one more supreme
effort to retrieve the day.
Without the slightest warning, he sud-
denly changed his tactics by swerving from
his providing circuit, and running, instead of
eaping directly toward the horses lowered
crest, until within a couple of yards, and
then launching himself forward, like the
veritable thunderbolt for which he was
named, full at Nadgka's throat
But the stallion was not there to meet it,
having danced to one side with the rapidity
of thought. Then, and before the tiger could
recover from the shock Of striking the oppo-
site wall of the pit, crash! crashI crash! sue
cessively were the steel shod, terrible heels
launched, each time reaching the mark with
arrowy precision and bone crushing force.
And then the jungle monarch was seen run
ming whimperingly around the skirts of the
arena on three legs, and with his jaw hope
lessly broken-conquered defeated, and with
the sole object of etfectlng skulking escape
from his victorious foe.
The rajah made the sign by which his ia
vorite was permitted to make good his re
treat, and then, with bow to Col Mohun
turned to 60 with his suite.
Zone moment, excellency!" shouted Ma
hala's protector. 'Deign, If you please, tt
formally announce that the victory is will
Nadgka, and my little friend here is to con
tinue undisturbed under my guardianship"
The potentate did SO, with none of the bes
grace, it must be said, and then took his de
parture with as much haste as was consistent
with his august dignity.
1t was none too soon.
The white stallion, which had until that
moment remained proudly in the center of
the pit, suddenly reared himself high in the
air with flashing eyes and floating name,
and then fell upon his side-dead.
poor Nadgkar' commented Maj. Poin-
dexter, laying his hand on Mohun's shoulder,
Oh which the little begun was now sobbing
as if her heart would break. "See, his entire
left ribs were laid bare by that one stroke of
Djeridgowka's paw. But never mind Mahala
is free from the rajah's clutches, and have
won pot of his money"
And perhaps they didn't mind, at least not
greatly. Money had changed hands; Mahala,
the whilom Nautch girl, was saved to become
a great magistrates wife in Bombay, and the
mother of a child destined to depose the
usurping rajah of Nagpoor, twenty years
later and restore the rightful dynasty; and
most decisive single combat had been nobly
contested and heroically won.
But then the hero was only white stallion
only a horse!-Nathan D. Urner in Once a
Week.