The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1889-03-02

belle Of Crosscut before the contest,
and the remark make by Jake that he
had once heard Nell say she would
marry the victor convinced Casper
that she had grown from an artless
girl to a heartless woman.
A crowd of several hundred people
gathered at the river bank above Col
onel Given's lumber mill on the morn
ing of the great log-rolling contest.
One of the most eager faces was that
of half-witted Jake, Casper's half
brother He was as anxious for the
outcome as the champion himself. The
feminine portion of Crosscut was well
represented, and among them was
Nell Given, who had for escort Mr..
Cotton, of Chicago.
At ten o'clock a cheer went up as
Casper Fall stepped upon one of the
logs and glanced keenly over the
multitude. His slender yet sinewy
figure was set off by a close-ftting
lacked and tights. On his feet he wore
| the spiked shoes of the log-runner.
As the shouts went up, handkerchiefs
were waved by fair hands, and Fall
saw Nell Given waving hers high
above the rest. His handsome face
flushed little and an angry light
cleaned in his eye when he saw her
turn and laugh in the face of her es-
cort.
"a fine exhibition l am making for
the gaping crowd, " muttered the young
log-runner. This will be the last
time, can tell 'em that.
And then a second and louder shout
went up as Casper's contestant stepped
from the bank and started nimbly run
ming over the logs. He turned a somer-
sault and landed safely within ten feet
of Fall, coming up bowling and smiling,
like an acrobat in a circus. This was
the first time Casper Fall had looked
upon the man he was to meet in a
struggle for the mastery. One glance
served to show Casper that his rival
was no mean antagonist. He was as
supple as an eel, with the dark face
and fierce eyes of a Spaniard. No doubt
he had been a matadOr in the Spanish
arena, and Casper realized that he was
to win no easy victory.
"Ready?"
Colonel Given uttered the cry. The
log-rollers bowed; then a tremendous
shout went up that made the heavens
ring, and then the contest began.
All! such log-spinning was never
seen before at Crosscut Backward,
forward, with the velocity of mill
wheels the logs spun under the feet of
both men. Now and then a particu-
larly good movement was cheered
loudly. During the greater part of
the time, however, a deep silence
reigned.
Mr.. Cotton rubbed his hands and
smiled.
"My man will win, he congratulated
himself. He's too much for the VOL
VERNE. See! wasn't that a grand turn?
Don't you see, Miss Given, your cham
pion Is tiring-he will lose; hurrahr'
The last shout fell from the lips of
Cotton as his man bounded into the air
and landed on the log on which Casper
Fall was performing.
This move was legitimate enough
but by this tim Casper had discovered
two things. First, that he was a bet
ter lOg-rOller than the man pitted
against him; second, that the Spaniard
was resolved to win, even at the ex-
pense of fairness.
iii beat him here and fight him
afterward," " muttered Casper, his teeth
set In wrathful determination.
Both men were on the same log now,
spinning it with lightning rapidity.
Hal
With grating cry the Spaniard left
the log, landing on another one near,
while at the same moment his ears
were saluted with derisive yell from
the multitude on the shore.
There, Mr.. Cotton! where's your
champion now?" exclaimed Nell, tap
ping his arm with her hand. did
you see that? Casper is the better
man. Hurrah for Casper!"
Pretty Nell Given Haunted her hand
kerchief high, and it caught the eye of |
Casper, who felt thrilled at the thought |
that she still desired him to win. !
Glancing at his rival at this moment,
Casper saw that his dark face was vel |
low with rage, a fact that satisfied the |
champion of Crosscut that he would |
now have an easy victory, for man in
a rage was apt to lose the management |
of his feet in a contest like this
Again the two men spun their logs
rapidly, performing various figures,
first on hands, then on feet, and in |
these movements the two were about |
evenly matched. There was but one |
way to win the victory. The one who |
succeeded in getting his rival into the |
river would be declared the champion.
The Spaniard had made legitimate
attempt to do this for Casper, and |
failed. He now changed his tactics. |
He ceased rolling his log and walked |
toward the shore. Had he given up
the contest? 1t seemed so at first, and i
relieved feeling swept over Casper |
Fall. Half-witted Jake stood close |
down to the waters edge, and looked |
into the eyes of his brothers rival as |
he walked toward the land.
Look out, Casper" called Jake at |