The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-01-24

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Both were as wild as deer, and fierce
rs hawks. By the use of lariats the
steers were stretched" and the sad
dies, each provided with an extra
cinche, or broad horse-hair girth, were
put on; one cinche passing around the
chest, and the other around the body
Just behind the fore-legs. Both cinches
we're drawn as tight as possible, and
both animals were blindfolded, and led
out on the plain where fair start
might be had.
The riders took their places by the
sides of their respective steeds, waiting g
for the word to mount and ride.
Are you ready?"
Yes"
'sThen go!"
In the same breath the lariats were
freed from their horns, the blindfolds
were snatched off, and the riders
yaulted into their saddles, Bob on
the line-back and Charley on the mag
pie.
For a minute both the animals
seemed dazed at the sudden change
from darkness to light, till the riders
touched them with the spurs and
shrieked "Hoop-la-a va-ca-a" Then
they both started, the line-back hori-
zontally, striking down the valley at
the top of its speed, and the magpie
vertically, doing some straight up
and-down jumping and plunging that
would have done credit to the most
vicious bucking broncho.
As I was Charley's referee / stayed
to watch the antics of the magpie,
while Little set off at full speed to
turn the line back, that we might not
lose that part of the sport. 1t was q
hot chase, but Little finally overlook
him and headed him back in our di-
rection. Meanwhile, each rider was
yelling at the top of his voice and
maddened animal.
As the line-back came racing down
on us the magpie caught sight of him,
and, ceasing his bucking, dropped
head and, with below of rage, rush
cd straight for the incomer, who, moth
ing 10th, accepted the challenge, and,
with an answering below of defiance,
lowered his horns and put on an addi-
tional burst of speed. In vain the
riders tugged and hauled at the rope
bridles-they might rs well have tried
to hold a 'rogue elephant" with a
strand of sewing-silk! In vain the
rest of us-judge, referees and specta-
tors dashed forward to prevent the
coIlision-we were too late. The
shock was terrific. The two riders
were hurled into each others arms, as
if launched from a catapult, with a
''thud!" that followed the crash of
their collidino steeds as the "spat" of
ball against the target follows the
report of the gun.
as Charley was the heavier weight,
his momentum overcame that of Bob,
and clasped affectionately in each 9th
er's arms. they shot backward over
line-back's tail, and rolled over and
over III the dust, an involved tang1e of
waving legs and arms!
We rushed to pick them up, while
the two chargers, their pugnacity
completely knocked out of them by
the resounding impact, drew apart,
gazed stupidity at each other for a mo-
ment. and then. with a frightened low,
numbered away across the valley.
When the two 'jockeys" had been
picked up and busted off, we were able
to ascertain the extent of their injur-
les.
One of Bob's front teeth was gone
and his nose was bleeding. Charley
had several square inches of skin
rasped off his forehead, and tremen-
dous bump over one eye. Each had
the breath pretty well knocked out of
him.
Leaving them in my hands for sur
gical aid, the rest of the boys set off
hastily after the fugitive steeds.
Brought back painting and sullen,
the rivals pluckily insisted on riding
out the match; but John, as Judge, de-
cided that inasmuch as the steeds were
evidently unfit for further duty that
day, it should be decided drawn
game; and that the two contestants
should each be given a medal of sole
leather. and be hereafter known as
''the twin champions and binomlal
rough riders of the Sierra La Sal."-
Youths Companion.