The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-05-19

Where Had John Valiant Learned
That Trick of the Loose Wrist and
lnfiexible Thrust
are the enduring glories of the knight
hood of Virginia."
Over the ringing applause, Nancy
Chalmers looked at him with little
smile, quizzical yet soft. Dear old
major!" she whispered to Betty Page.
How he loves the center Of the stage!
And he's effective, too. Thirty years
ago, father says, he might have been
anything he wanted .to-eyen United
States Senator. But he would never
leave the state. Not that blame him
for that" she added; 'Pd rather be
church-mouse in Virginia than CrRsus'
daughter anywhere else"
The twelve horsemen were now SIT
ting their FESTIVE mounts in a group
at one end of the lists. Two mounted
monitors had stationed themselves on
either side of the rope-barrier; third
stood behind the upright from whose
arm was suspended the silver ring.
The herald blew q blast, calling the
title of the first of the knights. In
stantly, with lance at rest, the latter
galloped at full speed down the lists
There was a sharp musical clash, and
as he dashed on, the ring few the
full length of its tether and swung
back, whirling swiftly. 1t had been a
close thrust, for the iron pike-point
| had smitten its rim. A cheer went up,
under cover Of which the rider looped
back outside the lists to his former
position
In an upper tier Of the stand spec
tator made a cup OF his hands "The
knight of the Golden Spur against the
field,'' he called. What odds?'
Five to one, Spotteswood." voice
answered.
"Ten dollars" announced the first
Good" And both made memoran-
dunn on their cuffs:
A second time the trumpet sounded,
and the Knight of Castlewood flashed
ingloriously down the roped aisle-a
miss
|, Again and again the clear note rang
out and a mounted figure plunged by.
and presently, in burst of cheering.
the herald proclaimed 1.-The knight of
the Black Eagle-one!" and Chilly
Lusk, in old-rose doublet and inky
plume cantered back with a silver
ring upon his pike.
No simple thing, approaching leis-
urely and afoot, to send that tapering
point straight to the tiny mark But
at headlong gallop, astride a blooded
horse straining to take the bit deed
requiring a nice eye, perfect seat
and an unwavering arm and hand!
Those knights who Topped back with
their pixies thus braceleted had spent
long hours In practice and each rode
as naturally as he breathed; yet more
than once a horse SHE'D in mid-course
and at the too-eager thrust Of the spul
bolted through the ropes. Valiant
made his first essay-and missed
with the blood singing in his ears
The ring flew from his pike, catching
him swinging blow on the temple IL
its rebound, but he scarcely felt it. Al
he cantered back he heard the major
bass pitting him against the field.
And then, suddenly, stand and field
all vanished. He saw only the lont
level rope-lined lane with it's twinklini
mid-air point An exhilaration caugh
him at the feel Of the splendid horse
flesh beneath him-that sense of one
ness with the creature he bestrod
which the instructive horseman knows
He lifted his lance and hefted II, seek
ing its absolute balance, feeling 1t
point as q fencer with his rapiel
When again the blood-red sasl
streamed away the herald's CRY
Knight Of the Crimson Rose-One!
set the field hand-clapping. From tn
next joust also, Valiant returned wit
the gage upon his lance. Two ha
gone to the Champion OF Castlewoo.
and two to scattering ridZrs. Whel
Valiant won his fourth thu grand stan
Numbered with applause.
The trumpet again pealed its silver
proclamation. Judge Chalmers was o.
his feet Fifty to ten on the crimson
Rose" he cried. This time, however
there were no takers He called again
but none heard him; the last tits wer
: too absorbing.
Where had John Valiant learned
!, that trick of the loose wrist and in
, flexible thrust, but at the fencing club
) Where that subconscious management
of the rein, that nice gage of spec,
and distance, but on the polo field
The old sports stood him now in goot
stead. why, he has a seat like {
centaur!" exclaimed the judge-prais'
indeed in a community where riding
> was passion and horsefesh fetish
!, "Oh, dear!" incurred Nancy Chal
mers. I've bet six Iairs of gloves OF
> Quint Carter. Never mind; If it has tt
be anybody else, I'd rather 1t wer,
!, Mr.. Valiant. It's about time Damon.
Court got something after Rip-Van
, Winkling 1t for thirty years. Besides
he's giving US the dance, and Low,
him for thatl Quint still has chance
: though. If he takes the next two, an
Mr.. Valiant misses"
? Katharine looked at her with q LII
{ tie smile. HE won't miss" she said
: She had seen that look on his fac
7 before and read It Alright John Va
> liant had striven In many contests, no
) only OF skill but Of strength and dal