The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1913-08-29
with ! man dressed In yellow stand.
fnU IN his hack

masses of %onlookers. saw him enter
the ring and witnessed his daring rid
ing on the unsaddled horse. Never
could. she catch a glimpse Of his face,
for the lights were III arranged. and
always some head or shoulder Of her
companions blocked the way when
his face was turned in her direction.
Suddenly he stripped OF the yellow
satin costume. flung 1t to an attendant
and showed himself dressed In the
costume Of the plains. Some n toss
ed him q broad brimmed hat, and he
crammed it on his head and with n
graceful movement left the back Of
the cream horse and dropped lightly
into the saddle of a vicious little brOn-
cho which had been led to the ring.
The ring was cleared instantly, and
Callicoon was alone with the beast he
was expected to conquer.
For an instant they stood motion
less-the grizzled broncho and the dark
eyed. keen faced man, his lean brown
hand gripping the bride.
The broncho rolled q Redeemed eye
and neighed shrilly. His head went
between his fore legs: his heels few up.
Callicoon's knees gripped the wiry
little shoulders. The man seemed part
Of the beast. The battle was on. and
the OnlOokers watched breathlessly.
Which would win?
There was a thunder of applause as
Callicoon rode away on his conquered
animal, and it was Bess' turn to 60 on
Her act was a thrilling one. The beau
tiful daughter of a rancher Is pursued
by Indians on the plains and Is finally
rescued by a cowboy. The daring rid
ers on the feet footed ponies always
drew applause from the crowd. (.
Bessie felt dizzy as she rode into the
tent. Her pony leaped forward at the
word of command and raced around
the grassy track. Behind her half a
dozen Indians on sweating horses
streamed after her. whooping madlv
and waving tomahawks. Twice around
the track was the course, and then the
rescuing cowboy would enter the
chase. @.
Thump, thump, thump. went the
hoofs on the turf. Bessie looked be-
hind her at the painted Indians ap-
preaching SO near. She felt. with a
thrill Of terror, that she was losing
her nerve Once as a little child she
had been Mortified at the sight of an
Indian raid. q mock invasion Of Red
Brick by a band of drunken Apaches.
and she felt the old terror creeping
over her now at sight Of the ugly
painted faces SO close behind.
Bessie glanced over her shoulder and
saw coming up the track a bay horse
with q white blazed forehead. On his
back was a cowboy In swift pursuit
Of the Indians. Now was the time to
crown her act with its most daring
performance.
There was q flash Of her slim. brown
clad form. and she was standing on
the saddle. her little brown pony tear
ing around the track in half crazed de-
light in the contest of speed and dar-
ing.
The Indians yelled. The gun of the
pursuing cowpuncher barked up at the
roof of the tent and lent excitement to
the scene. Bessie turned her head
again. There was q strange familiari-
ty about that blazed sorrel horse.
Her foot slipped. the brown pony
swerved suddenly. and Bessie fell
heavily across the saddle. her foot feel
ing for the stirrup. Her need for help
was desperate now. The crowd cheer
ed wildly at what they believed to be
q new deed Of daring. The Indians
screeched madly. But underlying the
noise was the steady beating of the
sorrel's boots. the baritone music of a
mans voice calling over and over
again: STEADY. there-just a moment!
Steady. there. girl! I'll be therev
Just when she felt herself slipping
from the saddle, where she would fall
under the rushing feet Of the Indian
ponies, there came the sweeping rush
of the sorrel. A strong arm pulled her
from the brown pony's back to q safe
refuge. and Bessie Madison promptly
tainted for the first time In her life.
while the audience thundered applause
at the daring rescue. not knowing that
they were witnessing grim reality in
stead Of an Indian play.
Good for you. Callicoon! cried
Peterson. the manager. as the new
rider gently handed down Besides
unconscious form. 1.-THE girl has lost
her nerve lately. I've been going to
advise her to take q rest SeemsAto be
always watching the audiences. She
II like a homesick cat. There. Huna;
give her another dose Of the ice water,
That's bringing her around! I've got
to 60 ont"
! He dashed away. and CallicoonN wal
left alone with Mime. Huha and Bessie
Madison. There came Z call for the
tight rope dancer.
'IM stay with her" said the new
rider. and he picked mp q fan and sat
down in Mime. Hufa's vacant seat.
Bessie opened her eyeA and looked
sadly at him. Then the lids dropped
and tears fell from the long lashea
and rolled down her thin cheeks.
Callicoon took out . handkerchief
and gently wiped the tears away