River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-04-23

time the man Just saved his life by ex-
treme agility More kicking now en-
sued and clouds of dust rose up. which
made it very difficult To see exa"tly
what was happening All at once
heard Ezekiel gave an exclamation and
swear deep and vigorous oath. and
presently / saw that one of the girths.
the thinner of the two. had split across.
The dangling ends at the bronco's side
seemed To infuriate him, and his leaps
aud kicks sensibly increased. Now
came sharp click ON the other side of
me. and Col Jensen spoke.
Draw. boys. and cover him. We
must not lose another life. Fire when
I give the word, every one"
There was a quick movement ON the
stable roof and ten revolvers flashed
ont Of their sheaths and ten fingers
were pressed on the triggers, waiting
for the word
Il was death struggle now. If there
were a flaw in the remaining girth, if
strap or buckle failed. the saddle would
20 and Joe he at the bronco's mercy, I'M
less their pistols did their work in time.
But the girth held CALAMITY, and at
lass the bronco began 10 tire and we be
gan To- breathe again. / could see Joe
clearly now. The signs Of battle had
begun TO appear. lie was one mass of
dirt from top to toe. His right arm
had received a deep cash. either from
the colts teeth or heels. and was
smeared with blood from elbow To
wrist. His face was pale and worn, his
head bent YEARLY. as If he were in
pain; but his eyes were clear and vigl-
liant. and he sat the enemy as firmly
as ever. I began 10 hope that the
worst part of the struggle was over,
for Joe had gained a tighter hold upon
the bride and the brOnco'S head was
well drawn in, as if he were yielding to
control lie paced backward slowly
until he touched one side Of the corral.
and there he stood a moment painting
a if exhausted.
Now a new phase in the struggle be-
gan. All this time Joe had played a
passive part. allowing the bronco to
take him where he would and how he
would. feeling AT the bride now and
then without making any determined
attempt To check his mad frolics. At
this point. however. he suddenly
seemed 10 wake into life and action.
he drew in the bride with a powerful
wrench twisted the bronco's head from
the wall of the corral. and then for the
first time drove in his spurs well. The
answer was violent fit of bucking.
and / expected every moment To see
the second girth split. II held, how
ever. and che bucking presently sub
sided But there wa 10 be no rest
now In went the spurs again. and
away went bronco. capering. twisting.
spinning round this way and that. leap
( ing. kicking, rearing, as actively as
ever The same process was repeated
several times. and after each bout Joe's
head bent lower over his saddle-bow,
and a look of WEAKNESS and pallor
crept into his face very painful 70 see.
But he never faltered. and at length the
time came when the touch of the spur
drove the colt round the corral instead
Of into the air. and we began to feel
that an end would come some time.
Once Joe even stopped 10 stroke the
foam-fiecked neck Of the pony caro-ss-
invly: and as he did 50 the animal stood
still. his ears pricked forward, his eyes
free from vicious devilment- Soon after
this, when the colt had been guided
right round the corral without hueking
f once, joe turned 10 look al Us and spoke
T for the first time. His voice was 50
weak and faint that it made me start.
Hen do. Drop the bars"
There was rush and a scramh BILE of
cowboys u the gate. and a clear way
was made The last critical moment
was now at hand Joe guided the bron-
CO gently toward the gate. At first the
animal swerved from il perver>ely. but
once through a new life seemed 10 rush
into his limbs and he began TO p~ance
and chafe at the bit Once again Joe
drew himself together, spasm of pain