The Washington times., 1922-06-04


might kill him, and. at the same
time, illogically, she wanted to
see him master the infuriated
animal. The sporting instinct
In her acknowledged and re-
sponded to the fight that was
going on before her eyes. She
hated him and she hoped that
he might die, but she was forced
to admire the wonderful horse
manship that she was watching.
The Sheik sat like a rock. and
every effort made to unseat him
was unsuccessful. The colt
plunged wildly. making furious
blind dashes backward and for.
ward, stopping lead In the hope
OF dislodging his rider, twirling
round suddenly until It seemed
impossible that he could keep
his feet. Then he started rear.
ing. straight up, his forelegs
pSdtlhk thc oil il6tf
er. and then down. to commence
again without a moments breath.
ing space.
Diana heard Gaston's breath
whistled through his teeth.
Look, Madame he cried
sharply, and Diana saw the
sheik gave a quick glance behind
him, and. as the colt shot up
again. almost perpendicular. with
a jerk he pulled him deliberate
ly over backwards. leaping clear
with tremendous effort as the
horse crashed to the ground. He
was in the saddle again almost
before the dazed creature had
struggled to its feet. And then
began a scene that Diana never
forgot. 1t was the final strug.
gle that was to end in defeat
for either man or horse. and
the Sheik had decided that It
was not to be or the man. It
was a punishment OF which the
untamed animal was never to
lose remembrance. The savagery
and determination of the man
against the mad determination OF
the horse. 1t was a hideous ex-
hibition Of brute strength and
merciless cruelty. Diana was al
most sick with horror from the
beginning: she longed to turn
away, but her eyes clung fas-
cinated to the battle that was
going on. The hush that had
fallen on the crowd had given
way to roars OF excitement, and
the men pressed forward eagerly,
to give back precipitately when
the still.fighting animals heels
flashed too near.
Diana was shaking all over
and her hands were clench-
ing and unclenching as she
stared at the man, who seemed
a part of the horse he was sit
ting so closely. Would It never
end? She did not care now
which killed the other so that
1t would only stop. The mans
endurance seemed mere bravado.
She clutched Gaston's arms with
a hand that was wringing wet.
1T is harrible," she gssped with
an accent of loathing.
1T is necessary" he replied
quietly.
Nothing can Justify that" she
cried passionately.
Your pardon, Madame. He
must learn. He killed a man
this morning, threw him, and
what you call in English, 'sav.
aged him"
Diana hid her face in her
hands. II can't bear it," she
said pitifully.
A few minutes later CASTOR
clicked his tongue against his
teeth. See, Madame. 1t Is
over. he said gently.
She looked up fearfully. The
Sheik was standing on the ground
beside the colt, who was swaying
slowly from side to side with
heaving sides and head held low
to the earth. dripping blood and
foam. And as she looked he tot
tered and collapsed exhausted.
There was rush from all
sides, and CASTOR went towards
his master. who lowered above
the crowd around him.
Diana turned away with an ex-
clamation Of disgust. II was
enough to have seen a display OF
such brutality; It was too much
to stand by while his fellow.sav-
ages acclaimed him for his
cruelty.
She went slowly back into the
tent, shaken with what she had
seen, and stood in undecided hest
tation beside the divan. The help
less feeling that she so often ex-
perienced swept over her with
renewed force There was no.