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


had just passed, but he was upon equal
ground with his antagonist now. and
he gloried in the consciousness of his
own superior ability. Something new
had awakened within him. and he
dashed into the arena, eager for the
combat. Not half a minute had passed
since the cutting of the lasso, and yet
Cummings had found time to tie an
other loop and was riding madly back
again. The hOoting of the crowd
changed again to cheers. 1t was not to
be cheated of its sport after all. The
kid was game. He would not run
away.
Warily, though rapidly, the antago-
nists approached each other, guiding
their horses elliptically. Swiftly and
silently they rode round and round,
their riatas twisting and kissing like
coiling snakes in the air above them.
The first throw must be the last, for if
one failed the other would succeed.
Both knew that. Strategy alone could
mark the victor in that strange duel.
DUN lnduc Tie CAST ut llle SdIlle III
slant. Both were true. Cummings
arms were pinioned AT his sides, but
Isle, with admirable forethOught, kept
his right hand poised in the air, so that
the lasso in settling over him caught
and held only his left arm against his
body. The horses, trained by long
practice, knew quite as well as their
riders the parts they had to perform.
They remained stock still, Straining
upon the ropes and holding them taut.
The tableau lasted only an instant,
but it was a fraction of time that was
fraught with tremendous excitement.
Then Lisle's free hand dropped to his
holsters. 1t leaped up again, the arm
Strengthened out and stiffened with
deadly aim, there was a loud report,
and Jim Cummings pitched headlong
from his saddle TO the earth. His horse,
frightened, started away. Lisle would
have been dragged down and killed
even then had not his right arm been
free. He dropped the pistol and seized
the reins, digging the spurs into Thomp-
sons horse, chasing the other, and rid
ing thus madly he succeeded in thrust
ing his one free hand into one OF bis
pockets. When he drew it forth Il
contained a clasp knife. He opened the
blade with his teeth and cut the rope.
While the cowboys were cheering
and throwing their sombreros into the
air, firing their pistols and otherwise
testifying to their joy and relieving the
| pressure of suspense under which they
had labored, Craig Thompson rode ou
to I.isle and met him.
kid" he said, and his voice was
husky with emotion, I'm proud OF
you! Hang me if l amt! Just make
a speech to them fellers now, short an(
to the point"
But Lisle scarcely heard him. HI
cantered to the center of the grounC
and raised his right arm to enioin 81
lence. When it was achieved, he ros,
in his stirrups and turned his heat
slowly from side to side until he tool
in all who were there. Then he spokO
in clear, ringing voice which ever!
one heard.
"lf there is any other person her
who thinks that ! was cut out for
woman and spoiled in the making
now is the time to speak," he said
Dead silence followed his words, ant
after waitisg sufficient time he raiseO
his hat, saluted them all and cantereC
to his fathers side. But the only word
that greeted him where he expected
the greatest praise was the calm an
nouncement:
1--WE will take the trail in an hour
Lisle. See that you are ready. Yo'
may invite Mr.. Thompson to accompa
ny us if he cares to do So" And the
without a word in reference to tn
combat Richard Maxwell mounted hi
horse and rode away.