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

Hts 0gP StedtgIttcned' ont and sfffpned
tCfth deadly aim.
bad just passed, but he was upon equal
ground with his antagonist now. and
be gioried 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 n minute had passed
since the cutting OF the lasso, and yet
Cummings had found time TO tie an
other hoop and was riding madly back
again. The hooting Of the crowd
changed again to cheers. 1t was not to
be cheated OF it's sport after all. The
kid was game. He would not run
away.
WaEily, though rapidly. the nntago-
nists approached each other. guiding
their horses elliptically. Swiftly and
silently they rode round and round.
their riatas twisting and kissing like
coiiing snakes in the air above them.
The first throw must be, he last, for IL
one failed the other would succeed.
Both knew that Strategy alone could
mark the victor in that strange duel.
Both made the cast at the same in
slant Both were true Cummings
arms were pinioned nj his sides, but
I,isle, with admirable forethought. kept
his right hand poised in,tho 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 hal To- perform.
They remained stock still, straining
upon the ropes and holding them taut.
The tableau lasted only an instant.
but II WAS fraction OF tifne that was
frauRht with tremendous: excitement.
Then Lfsle's free hand dropped To his
holsters. II leaped up again. the arm
Strengthened ont and stfffened with
deadly aim, there was. a loud report.
and Jim Cummings pitched headlons
from his saddle TO the earth. His horse.
frightened. started sway. Lisle would
have been dragged down and killed
even then had not his right arm been
fTee He dropped the pistol and seized
the Peins- digging the spurs into Thomp-
sons horse, chasing the other. and rid
Ing thus madly he succeeded in thrust
ing his enc free hand into one of his
pockets When be drew II forth, Il
contained 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
In To-
70 Isle and met him.
KID" he said, and his voice. was
husky with emotion, "Fm proud of
you! Hang me If I amt! Just make
q speech TO them felers now, short and
to the point
But LisIe scarcely heard him. He
cAntered TO the center Of the ground
and raised his right arm to- enjoin ST
lenca When II was achieved, he rose
In his stirrups and turned his head
slowly from side TO side until he TOOK
In all who were there. Then he spoke
In clear, ringing voice which every
one heard
IF there Is any other person here
who thinks that l was cut out for a
woman and spoiled in the making.
now Is the time to speak," he said.
Dead silence followed his words, and
after waiting sufficient time he raised
his hat, saluted them all and cantered
To his fathers side. But the only words
that greeted him where he expected
the greatest praise was the calm an
Douncement:
we will take the trail In an hour
Lsle See that you are ready. You
may invite Mr.. Thompson to accompa-
ny us II he cares to do So" And then
without a word in reference to the
combat Richard Maxwell mounted his
horse and rode away.