News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-07-24

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 Isle 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 uneTing 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 if to run to his assistance, and
he saw Craig Thompson, who had
FASTENED to his side as if he antici-
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 it,
keep back, Dick; keep back! The
kid'll be enough for him, and besides
the boys would put a rope around you
before you had gone dozen steps"
That was what he did say, and after
ward he retained his grasp upon Rich
ard MaXwelrs 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 he was not afraid. AS he
turned his eyes back again toward his
antagonist he drew his revolver and
raised it, but as he glanced along the
barrel he saw that if he fired there was
imminent danger that the bullet might
pass through or beyond its objective
point and injure one Of the spectators
who formed the group around his ia
Their. He thrust it 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 If that fatal loop once
settled around his shoulders he would
be dragged down to certain and horri-
bic death. Cummings knew it, too,
and so did the men who looked on
There was a 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 adj
vanced to the attack, ard Lisle stood
with appraised knife awaiting him.
Twice Cummings rode all the way
around him. toying with the lasso and
jeering in an ecstasy of fury. circliug
to the left and decreasing the radius
with each turn, playing with his in
tended victim. and as he circlPd Iie'"
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
nadly at last, he approached nearer
nd nearer to his intended victim, the
deadly rope never ceasing to writhe
and twist above his head, as if it 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 unflinching 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.
Lisle made no further effort to dodge.
! He knew that such tactics must soon
! become futile; that ultimately the rope
must encircle him. 1t were better that
it should do so now while he was fresh
and still master of every faculty. He
remained perfectly still and waited un-
! til the loop was almost upon him, and
then, with a quick motion, he placed
his hands in the position that one as.
sumes when in the act of diving-to-
gether and directly above his head
and so permitted the coil to encircle
him.
1t fell true and accurately. The horse
ridden by Cummings was pulled back
upon his launches, and then, impelIed
! by the cruel spurs and tight rein of its
master, il wheeled and leaped away
AS the coil frightened around him Lisle
managed to seize the rope beyond the
knot with his left hand. His right
hand still grasped the knife Then
came that awful jerk. lie was drag
ged from his feet headforemost to the
earth. As he fell he succeeded in
shortening his left arm and reaching
out his right hand, which had not loos
ed its hold upon the knife. The keer
edge touched the frightened rawhide
and it parted.
Instantly he was upon his feet again
There was blood upon his face, but he