The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-18

- "a tPPVf eoA VI tue StSsuu u spec
tafor made cup OF his hands. "The
Knight OF the Golden Spur against the
feld." 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 n mounted figure plunged by,
and presently. In a burst OF cheering,
the herald proclaimed THE Knight OF
the Black Eagle-onel" 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. O perfect seat
and an unwavering arm and hand!
Those knights who looped back with
their pixies thus braceleted had spent
long hours In practice and each rodo
as naturally as he breathed: yet more
than once horse shied In mid-course
and at the tooeager thrust Of the spur
holted through the ropes. Valiant
made his first essay-and missed
with the blood singing in his ears.
The ring few from his pike, catching
him q swinging blow on the temple In
Its rebound. but he scarcely felt It, Az
he cantered back he heard the majors
bass pitting him against the field.
And then. suddenly. stand and field
all vanished. He saw only the long
level rope-lined lane with it's twinklins;
mid-sir point. An exhilaration caught
him at the feel Of the splendid horse.
flesh beneath him--that sense OF one.
ness with the creature he bestrodo
which the instructive horseman knows.
He lifted his lance and hefted II, seek.
ing It's absolute balance, feeling its
point az u fencer with his rapier.
When again the blood.red sash
streamed away the herald's cry,
Knight OF the Crimson Rose-One!"
set the field hand-clapping. From the
next joust also. Valiant returned with
the gage upon his lance. Two has
gone TO the Champion OF Cas.lewooc
and two TO scattering riders. Wher,
Valiant won his fourth the grand stand
Numbered with applause.
The trumpet again pealed It's sllvery
proclamation. Judge Chalmers was on
his feet. Fifty to ten on the Crimson
Rose" he cried. This time. however,
there were nc takers. He called again.
bet none heard him; the last tits were
eco absorbing.
Where had John Valiant learned
tnat trick OF the loose wrist and In.
nexibie thrust. but at the fencing club?
Where that subconscious management
OF the rein. that nice gage OF speed
and distance. but on the polo field?
The old sports stood him now in good
stead. why. he has seat like a
centaur!" exclaimed the judge-praise
'hoeed In a community where riding
was n passion and horsefesh a fetish!
Oh. dear!" mourned Nancy Chal-
mers. I've bet six pairs OF gloves on
Vuint Carter. Never mind: IL il has to
DO anybody else. I'd rather IL were
Dir. valiant. It's about time Damory
court got something after Rip-Vsn.
Winkling II for thirty years. Besides,
hes giving us the dance. and love
'nlm Tor that! Quint still has a chance.
though. III he takes the next two. and
MT valiant misses"
katharine looked at her with a lit
Tie smile. He won't miss" she said.
Sne mad seen that look on his face
before and read II Alright John Va
hant mad striven In many contests. not
only OF skill but OF strength and dar.
ing. before crowded grand stands. But
never In all his life had he so desired
to pluck the prize. His grip was tense
on the lance as the yellow doublet
and olive plume OF Castlewood shot
away Tor a last time-and failed An
instant later tho knight OF the Grim
son Rose flashed down the lists with
the last ring on his pike.
And the tourney was won.
In the shouting and hand-clapping
Valiant took the rose from his hat.
band and bound II with shred OF his
sash to his lance-point. Az he rode
slowly toward the massed stand. the
whole fell was On afili that no coutJ
hear the hoofs of the file OF knights
behind him. The people were on their
feet.
The mounted herald blew his blast
by the Majesties OF st. Michael and
81. George" he proclaimed. II declare
the Knight OF the Crimson Rose the
victor OF this our tourney. and DO
Charge him now to choose his Queen
OF Beauty, that all may do her hom-