d the pasture, he suddenly had to jump aside with
considerable sprightliness. A brace of horsemen came swerving through
the gateway from the highroad and tore down upon him as though the Day
of Judgment galloped behind. They were abreast, ten feet apart, but the
oddest thing was a lariat that dangled between them, from saddle-horn to
saddle-horn.

The thunder of hoofs brought Dragoons and Cossacks and Dignitaries, and
emptied the granary. Even insane horsemen could see that the Empire was
encamped over that cow lot. And as nearer they rushed, the two maniacs
seemed to recognize the fact. One was straightway more anxious to
arrive; a directly opposite effect was apparent in the other. And there
was the rope between them, from saddle-horn to saddle-horn. Their
opinions on destination, unexpectedly diverging, promised something. And
since one wanted to stop and the other to hasten, the something was not
long in happening.

One of the horsemen--he wore a sombrero--leaned back frantically. The
other--who wore a battered soldier cap--passed ahead like the wind. The
lariat twanged, but held. Sombrero's horse got its feet planted. The
horse of Soldier Cap slowed to a standstill, and panted. Sombrero flung
out his pistol, Soldier Cap his. They aimed at each other, the triggers
snapped, no report. They looked amazed, embarrassed; and tried again.
Same result. "Por Dios!" "Sacre nom!" They hurled the pistols, each at
the other's head. Both ducked. Sombrero wheeled, drove home the spurs,
and headed for retreat. Soldier Cap and horse braced themselves against
the shock. The spectators, running nearer, now perceived that the lariat
was tied round each man's waist as well as wrapped over his pommel.
Soldier Cap weathered the jolt, next plunged suddenly closer, and in the
instant of the slack, unwound the rope from his saddle and leaped to the
ground. In two leaps more he had Sombrero about the neck. They fell
together, rolling and fighting, while Sombrero's horse reared and plowed
the soil with them. Dragoons and Cossacks heaped themselves on all
three. It was quite an energetic mystery altogether.

Under the soldier cap, under dust and blood and scratches, Jacqueline
caught glimpses of a happy face.

"Oh la-la, it's--it's Michel!"

"Rodrigo Galan!" roared the Tiger, in his turn recognizing Sombrero.
"Here, up with him! Six of you, quick there, in line, shoot him!"

It was near the sweetest moment of the old warrior's life.

"