Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-08-03


TO detach himself from the surrounding
group. spur his horse into a gallon and
dash at full speed straight toward the
solitary figure in the center of the tour
nament ground, He was bending well
forward in his saddle, his right arm
was raised above him. coiling and
twisting like long and sinewy ser
pent was the loop of his terrible lasso.
more feared on the plains as a weapon
of ofense than all other known imple-
ments OF warfare
Lisle saw and recognized him in
stantly, and If he had not the loud
shout that went up from the spectators
would sufficiently have warned him,
Tor there was not a man there who
did not know the meaning OF such an
act. An old grudge was to be settled.
n long standing feud was to come to
an end one way or another. A duel to
the death was to be fought in their
presence. and. although everybody
could see that the advantage was I'M
fairly on one side and that the man on
the ground was practically at the mer-
cy OF the other, that was regarded as
have committed while an enemy was
near at hand. one with which they
could not and would not interfere.
Many of them were aware OF the Incl
dent of the shooting affair between
Cummings and Lisle Maxwell. and
now they were to witness the final act.
The code of the plains permitted the
man attacked in such a manner to
make use of any weapon at his COM
mand, and the unerring craftsmanship
of the youth was familiar TO every man
there. Every one expected to see him
pull his revolver and curtail hostilities
with a single shot.
At the instant when Lisle discovered
that he was an object OF attack he
glanced toward the spot where he had
left his father. he saw him start for
ward as IL to run TO his assistance, and
be saw Craig Thompson. who had
FASTENED 10 his side as IL be autici-
pated the move, seize him around the
body and hold him firmly. and he could
imagine what the ranchman said, al
though OF course he could not hear IL
Keep back, Dick; keep backl The
the boys would put a rope around you
before you had gone n dozen steps,
That YVES what he did say, and after-
ward he retained his grasp upon Rich
ard MaNwelps arm. fearful OF what he
might do In the excitement that was, to
come.
Lisle smiled, well pleased. He real
lied thoroughly the danger OF his posi-
ton, but be was not afraid. AS he
turned his eyes back again toward bis
antagonist be drew his revolver and
raised 1t, but as he glanced along the
barrel he saw that If he fred there WIS
imminent danger that the bullet might
pass through or beyond it's objective
point and injure one OF the spectators
who formed the group around his ia
Their. He thrust IL back again into his
belt and drew his knife, smiling when
he heard a cheer go up from the crowd
in admiration OF his GOODNESS and bray-
cry. Then. planting his feet wide
apart, he waited.
He knew that IL that fatal loop once
settled around his shoulders he would
be dragged down TO certain and horri-
and so did the men who looked ON.
There was hideous grin of exulta-
ton on the face OF the horseman while
he rode slowly toward his intended vic
tim. There was no need for haste
The lad could not escape The loop of
the mounted mans rawhide lasso coil.
ed and twisted, writhed and Kissed
above and around his head as he ad-
Vanced 10 the attack, and Isle stood
with appraised knife awaiting him.
Twice Cummings rode all the way
around him, toying with the lasso and
1eering in an ecstasy Of fury, circling
to the Left and decreasing the radius
with each turn, playing with his In
tended victim. and as he circled Lisle
continued 10 face him, never taking his
eyes from the hand that held the rope
Then Cummings perceptibly increas-
ed the speed Of his horse, describing
the circles still more narrowly. Riding
madly at last, he approached nearer
and nearer to his intended victim, the
deadly rope never ceasing to wrtthe
and twist above his head, as IL 1t were
possessed Of life and hatred and was
eager to fall upon its prey.
Suddenly his arm Strengthened out,
and the loop was released from his
grasp. At the same instant Lisle leap
ed into the air. The rope struck him
upon the head and fell harmlessly
aside, and another cheer went up from
the SPECTATORS. Cummings laughed
and dashed away. gathering the lasso
quickly for another throw. In a mo-
ment he was ready. and the circling be-
gan anew, while Lisle, seemingly as
cool as ever, faced him steadily and
with unfiinching courage. Three times
the horseman made the turn. Then
Isle saw him rise in his stirrups. The
deadly loop left his hand. 1t seemed
to hang in midair over his head in ser
pentine curves which changed their
forms with every fraction OF those per-
ilous seconds which seemed like hours.
Lisie made no further effort to dodge.