The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1909-10-28

HIS own saddle. But the little roam
seemed to know what was expected
Of him, and with a fying forward
buck and a quick side lurch, he had
the boy in difficulties at once, and
following up his advantage he flung
his rider heavily against the canvas
at the end of the tent, which fortu-
nately broke his fall.
Grimthrope busted the boys coat
with his riding whip and turned with
smile to the crowd. MY s5 is
still waitin', gentlemen." he said.
Hughie stirred in his scat. Shall /
nave cut at him, Dave?" he asked
but even as he spoke a little wiry
EoTsebrealler from Merrigal Springs
stepped into the arena with his huge
caddlc on his arm.
He rode Drettily; beneath his iron
thighs the little roam was powerless,
and though he bucled his hardest he
was conquered from first to last, and
q great ovation greeted the breaker
as he received Grimthrope's s5 and
returned modestly to his place.
Gentlemen" said Grimthrope, az
have often heard Of the Lachlan Riv-
er riders, and there's not the least
doubt that you've got some good men
In the district, but I have a horse in
my show that has tested the best, and
to show my confidence in him I will
double my usual wager and give go
TO the man who can sit him for two
minutes in a hunting saddle, but any
man who tries and fails to ride him
must pay me a forfeit of c5 and take
all risk of accident. Bring in Steam
Engine!"
A murmur OF applause rippled
round the ring as the beautiful black
horse was led in; ne stood fully six
teen and a half hands, Of immense
bone and muscle, and carried a proud
head so high that he seemed even
taller than he really was. His eyes
flashed fire upon the tiers of raot
brown faces, and as the groom faced
him in the centre of the tent he
squealed and lashed out in very wan.
tonness.
Then the crowd began to talk, call
ing on the noted horsemen present to
take up the challenge.
Now, then, Hughie. Now, then,
Daily! Come on Dave Wilson
where's Jack Grieve?" and so on.
Hughie snuffled his feet Impatient
ly, and I noticed the hand that rested
on his knee shook as though with
some nervous resolve.
Daily Stevens. the drover, shook
his head good naturedly. i've seen
him buck" he said, and there was q
wealth of meaning in his words.
Have another try, Jack Grieve,
mes no worse than the roam" called
somebody; but Jack sat still, looking
thouGhtfully at els saddle.
Dave, Dave Wilson, Come on,
Dave!" yelled the crowd. What's
become Of the Mulga boys?" But
Davies handsome brown face be-
trayed no interest in the proceedings;
he stopped to strike a match, and
held 1t to his pipe.
A gust of wind shook the great
canvas into bellying waves, and a
ciatter OF rain swept down upon the
roof. The. black horse started and
paved :he ground impatiently.
"Win / have a cut?" Hughes
face was little white, thought. as
he bent across to ask Dave the uues-
ton.
PLEASE yourself, Hughie!" said the
overseer, but mind you, he's a bad
one. Daily Stevens wouldn't be off
him unless he was something out of
the common"
But Hughie had already made I'D
MS mind. Let me use my own sad
die, and I'll ride him." he called out.
Grlmthrope demurred, but finally
gave way on the point, and Hughie.
with the honor of our station in his
hands, stepped out into the arena.
The black horse was blindfolded
and saddled, and Hughie made a lit
tie speech to the crowd.
i don't want you fellows to think. "
he said, addressing the crowd gener-
ally, that I'm riding this horse to
Try ard make big man of myself be-
rcrs you; and / know there's two or
three Fellows in this tent that can
ride both sides OF me; but I don't be-
lieve in these Queensland fellows
coming down here and poking fun
at us Lachlan men because we hap
pen to work among sheep and not
cattle; more than that, I'm a Mulga
Plains man, and I'm going to have a
try at this black horse for the honor
OF the old station"
Great applause followed this i'm
promptu Grafton, for Hughie was a
sterling fellow and a favorite with
all and first rate horseman into
the bargain. Then he waved his
hand to us and took hold of the reins,
and quick as a cat was down in the
saddle. The bandage was snatched
from he blacks eyes, and he reared
straight on end, gave a sudden twist
and nearly fell; then, coming down