White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-01-28
ahead, the wrangler, nearing the
stand. swung over to the right SO
low in the saddle that he trailed
his hand in the dust.
CHAPTER u

- pOny's hOOfS as he now flew
down toward the grandstand struck
the ear. A slender streak of dust
rose from where the fingers trailed
along the track, AS he neared the
vicinity of the cigarette, the wran-
gler lifted his fingers just above the
dust and bent his straining eyes
ahead. He passed the grandstand
like flash.
AS he did so, his right hand was
flung out, just once, and his fingers
struck at the dust. He dashed
ahead, Strengthened himself grad
ually in the saddle. and, holding his
right hand high, checked the pony
and rode slowly back.
The judges clambered down from
their stand and ran out on the
track. They looked in vain circles
for trace of the cigarette; stirred
up the dust where it might be hid
den. But the wrangler, riding back
toward them, held the damaged
cigarette.
Boland was wild. he rushed out
to join the Judges "It's a plain
trick" he shouted. He pretended
to pick up one cigarette an had an
other in his hand"
Where's the cigarette he dropped
here in the first placer" asked Par
daloe, pointing to the track. ut
was right here. seen it." He ap-
pealed to the other judges. You
seen It," The two nodded assent.
What you talkfn' about, Boz" Bo-
land was industriously searching
the track. "Find it! But be careful
you don't try to drop another ciga-
rette like It'll"
'The horse might have picked it
UP on his hoof," beloved Boland.
eyes," commented. Selwood. Eyes.
Examine the pony's mouth, too, b.
land. He may not have swallowed
it yet. 4 say, gentlemen" he added.
"the Circle Dot boy has done clean
Job, Now, let's see McCrossen per-
form" ..,. ...,s.,,.
But McCrossen,, ,stubbornly leject-
ing all. his packers entreaties, re-
fused, to perform. Wouldn't I be a
sucker to. try to beat a man at his
own gamer" he demanded.
THAT tricks no part of rontier
ridin'. It's never been done before
at a,Sleepy Cat celebration"
Z It's progress, gentlemen; prog
ress, I call it. If it amt been. done
in Sleepy Cat, it's, been done plenty
at other celebrations. So you,"
Numbered SAVOY, want brilliant
crowd of fair women and brave
men. to set here year after year an
be bored stiff with the same old
tricks? Gents!" he appealed to the
judges. II call for Judgment"
The judges huddled. At a little
distance Sawdy and Lefever hud-
died with the wrangler on the geld
ing. Presently Lefever stepped
over to the judges. Gents" he an
nounced, before you decide, we
make another proposal. Our man
will now undertake to duplicate any
trick on a horse that the Gunlock
champion wants to try. We want
to be perfectly fair"
"You' mean," retorted Selwood,
you're mean enough to beat the
boots off him an carry away the
boots. Well, Boland," he called out,
turning to the saloonkeeper, "you
heard that. Do you want to take
that challenger"
"McCrossen has done all the tricks
and done, 'em we'll"
IF you Decline" declared Sell
wood, Judgment for the fancy rid
ing goes to Circle Dot. It is so or
dered. Stop your yawp, Harry Bo-
land"
Boland continued to protest, but
the verdict, announced to the spec
A =