Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-08-28
, Frederic Van Rensselaer, Dey.

of anticipation had communicated IL
self to them.
The first entertainment on the pro-
gramme was a foot race, and Richard
Maxwell was requested to measure off
the distance to be run. This he de-
clined to do. whereupon Lisle volun-
teered to act. His services were ac-
cepted. and he dismounted from his
horse. leaving it in the care Of one Of
his men while he started Off alone
down that stretch Of open ground.
Craig Thompson saw him leave his
horse and 60 to the center Of the
ground, where. after marking the point
Of beginning. he began to pace the dis
tance for the contestants to run.
1.-THE fool" muttered the old ranch
man. "If haven't lost all my judg-
ment. this Is just the chance that Jim
Cummings will take"
Nothing occurred. however, until
Lisle had paced the $50 yards and fac
ed about to return. Then, up at the
head Of the line. q horseman was seen
to detach himself from the surrounding
group. spur his horse into gallop and
dash at full speed straight toward the
solitary figure In the center Of the tour
nament ground. He was bending we'll
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 weapon
Of offense than all other known imple-
mentS Of warfare.
Lisle saw and recognized him in
stantly, and II he had not the loud
shout that went up from the spectators
would sufficiently have warned him.
for there was not man there who
did not know the meaning Of such an
act. An old grudge was to be settled.
A 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 un-
fairly on one side and that the man on
the ground was practically at the mer-
cy of the other. that was regarded as
his own fault. one that he should not
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 q manner to
make use Of any weapon ut 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 If to run to his assistance, and
he saw Craig Thompson. who had
FASTENED to his side as II 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 1t.
Keep back. Dick; keep back! The
kid'n be enough for him, and besides
the boys would put 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 MaXwelps arm. fearful Of what he
might do In the excitement that was to
come.
Lisle smiled, we'll 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 fa-
ther. He thrust It back again into his
belt and drew his knife, smiling when
he heard a cheer 20 up from the crowd
ln admiration Of his GOODNESS and brav-
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-
ble death. Cummings knew it, too.
and so did the men who looked on.
There was a hideous grin Of exulta-
ton OH the face Of the horseman while
be 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 coll
ed and twisted. writhed and hissed
above and around his head as he ad-
vanced to the attack, and Lisle stood
with upraised knife awaiting him.
Twice Cummings rode all the way
around him. toying with the lasso ana
jeering 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 70 face him. never tak.Ls Ills
eyes from the hand that held the rGI'e.
Then Cummings perceptibly increas-
ed the speed Of his horse. describing
the circles still more narrowly. Riding
madly ut last, he approached nearer
and 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 rome struck him