The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-30
CHAPTER XVII In pel0fa

La PeIote The vicinity of the Pelote was indicated oy an enormous crowd and a long line of vehicles. All Biarritz- gentls,s simple. native. and foreign was assembled in force. except. per hapsy a dozen or two of English who, In spite of every attraction that of- fered. still' remained faithful to their idoi-golf
 Paul de Sarazin awaited his guests at the entrance. and piloted them in- sile the "frontones." or enclosure, and in a short time they found them selves seated beside him, in the centre of fine pavilion. each decorated with rosette of red and yellow ribbon (the Spanish colours). Two sides of a court, or concha, seventy yards long, were packed with people. At one end was high white wall. marked with a line across it. and two zeros-one in red and one in blue-were hung up on board at either side.
 There are five thousand spectators today. explained the Marquis de Sarazin. Tt is the great match of the year. Spanish against French. Ladies. trust your hearts are with my countrymen7 After all, Mrs. Tudor, your sister is the widow of a Spanish Donr"
 And you think that constitutes a claim?.
 Why. of course. An, here they come!
 bell rang as he spoke. and six young men in white-the peloari-filed in two and two, and bowed to the as- sembly. The French wore blue sashes and flat caps-the Spaniards red, and to each mans hand was strapped his christera. The six competitors were evidently perfect athletes; their step, springy and panther-like spoke of an extraordinary reserve of muscle and force.
 Also they were all undoubtedly in hard condition, and looked as resolute as sladiators and as active as mon- keys.
 Now I will explain to you" said Paul, in his full, deep voice. as he placed program in Miss Forde,s little white-gloved hand. The score IS 60; the side who first makes it wins. It Is like fives-you have seem lives, of course?'
 "oh. never" (Where would she see games?)
 Well they serve tie ball at the wall there. and play alternate strokes red and blue: whichever side lets the ball fall. loses. and the other is in, You think 1t seems simple: but it Is terribly hard work, especially for the two who stand back. Yes, it is sport Tor good men! a sport the saints them selves would not desptse!" And he leaned forward and looked at her. Do you know. that some years ago a monk yes, a holy man-was the strongest player in all Spain!"
 She looked up in surprise. A | monkr'
 He was of my mind. To me. Polote l. the most exciting game in the
 And he glanced at Hester with a pair of glowing eyes.
 Those long basket-work things in the shape of the guard of a carriage W eel. are called christera: they are strapped to their hands. It Is with tLem, they catcs the ball. as you will see. The match Is, of course, between trance and Spain; our men are picked That one there Is Fl Chiquito. a champion: he has been to Brazil and Monte Video to play-yes. and to win. The little curlyheaded Loy is Pablo, my namesake: he comes from San Sebastian, and is made of steel wire. The third is Braulio a Spanish Basque one of the best. MademoiselIe, you must not even look at the French. But l tell you that the little :hick-set fel- low with the dark face comes from St. Jean Pied du port. and Is most dangerous; he serves so low. his balls are hard to take. Now see: they be- gin!''
 .Jinguno alguien" dove alb, cried the Basque scorer by the lower wall. and the game commenced. The rules of pelote are like the English game of lives: but otherwise It resembles no game on earth! The | skill and activity displayed by the players. are usually amazing. A player had walked up near the wall, slung his christera Cor basket scoop); the ball hit the wall with | loud smack. and instantly rebounded. Precise as tlockwork, it was caught by man at the far end of the court: 1t fell into the basket with a clack. Then he took two 4Lick little steps and sl ung 1t back with all his force it struck the wall. rebounded, and was caught by one of the blues, who sent 1t again flying with mechanical pre- cision. Difficult as 1t appeared, the players rarely missed the ball: and 1t was m rvellous how they never got in one anthers' way. although all six seemed to be everywhere at once. Their activity and dexterity were sur