The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-03-07

from this side of the pond who had drop
of sporting blood and little extra coin
who didn't snap up any bluff that was
made. The Frenchmen were equally per
sistert in backing the horse. In fact, it
became an affair of international interest.
1t was a hot day in July when the
event came Off The big amphitheater of
the Wild West Show began to fill up
early. All Paris was there, for the fever
had permeated all classes. There were
Russian Grand Dukes and Italian Counts
not twenty feet from some baker or
butcher. Col. Cody. in order to make the
affair doubly impressive had sent an in
vitation to one of the leading cavalry
regiments to attend in body. They came,
and their bright. gorgeous parade uni
forms helped to make the scene one Of
spiendor. This great and glorious repub-
lie had a most creditable representation
of pretty girls and men who wanted TO
see the honor of their country sustained.
How they got lie Diable over 10 the
Wild West corral | don't know. II must
have been a tough game, though. After
a part Of the show had been given they
turned him out of the corral into the
arena. He pranced up and down, snorting
He seemed to regard the frantic mob OF
humanity with supreme contempt. He
was so busy taking in his unusual sur
rOundings that he did not notice a deter
mined-looking cowboy come gallOping up
on a wiry pony Whir-r! Whiz-z-zi A
lariat was around his neck, lie Dlable
made a rearing plunge and was brought
to the ground Then, In spite Of his biting
nd L fFfu ha xsraG hri1 cd nv no
had tanned fiercer spirits than his The
saddling was more difficult: but at last it
was accomplished, and the glrth was
cinched so that the seat would be firm.
One of the cowboys had been chosen by
the cutting of pack OF cards. | will
state right here that there were more
volunteers than Hobson had for the Merri-
mac. and this was the only way they
could be selected.
Knew How to Buck.
THE man who won the honor vaulted
lightly TO his seat and they were off
Where that French horse learned his
buck!ng no man has ever been able TO
tell Perhaps his brothers from the far
West gave him a few pointers during his
short stay in the corral. Certain it Is
that no broacho from the plains could
have hoped 10 sUrpass that blooded stal-
lion in the matter Of bucking OF he
went for a hundred and fifty yards,
laIgiIng every second with MS legs like
pokers and his spine arched like a tom
cat on a back yard fence. Now he would
take a little run 10 right and swerVe
quick as a fash TO the left. Then he
would curyet and rear till he stood per
peHdiculsr on his hind legs. Still the
irOn-handed 'broncho-Duster' held his
seat La Diable soon found that he must
employ other tactics If he hoped TO win.
He took desperate run from one end
of the arena To the other and stopped 80
suddenly that ne almost turned somer-
sault into the amphitheater. He found
that his burden was still there. Then he
resumed his bueking. and after d few
minutes Of Intellectual jumping up and
down reared back and attempted 10 fall
on his Plucky rider. he missed il there
too. for when he landed the cowboy was
out Of the way. When he struggled 10
his feet the Western rider was once more
astride and settled 10 stay
The cowboy had TO easy time OF e.
though. The terrible jar Of the violent
bucking caused his nose 10 bleed and his
pale brow vas covered with pergplratlon
Still. he felt that he had the Stars and
Stripes 10 uphold and he hung on With
the grim perseverance Of alternate hope
and despair. After about half an hour
lie Diable began 10 flag The cowboy
pulled out his six-shOoters and let them
play about the stations ears. For a mo-
ment Il spurred him 70 a spasmodic ef-
fort. But IL vas only for a moment. Al
last he stood stock still and trembled in
every limb. He Squealed. yes. fairly
sqae4led. as II he were appealing for
mercy. he bad wflted. The IRE had
gone from his eye and his shining black
coat Was covered with blood and foam.
They led him away broken and beaten
horse
The Paris papers came out and ia
the right thing about the hOrsemansh.p
business The Figaro particularly could
not say enough in eomn.endalion Of the
skill Of the Congress ef Rough Riders.
But I'll never forget the way old Buffalo
Bill looked that night in the cafe OF me
Jockey Cub
"'Whztr he kept repeating. That
damned French horse throw one Of my
5oysi Not on your collar buttonr"