Beadle's Dime Novels No. 316: Hurricane Bill — page 19: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A DEXTROUS FRAT. . 23 / corral fence. Don Blas followed more slowly, coiling his horse-hair losso. At a signal from his master, the man spurred forward in a line that would cerry him, if maintained, past Cavello at about twenty feet distant. But at a cry from the Don, he abruptly checked his animal and flung the heavy Jance for- ward with considerable strength and skill, At the same mo- ment Don Blas launched his Jasso through the air, and then swiftiy drawing back his arm, broke the stout Jance-shaft in twain, the noose baving encneted the weapon in mid _ air. It was really a dextrous feat, and the two scouts added their mite to the chorus of approving shouts that rent the air, , “You see, senor, others can bit a flying target as well as you,” half sneered Don Blas. | “ A lasso can be dodged—not 30 a bullet,” retorted Mus- tang Sam, with a quick sienal to his comrade, who seemed about to make a hasty reply. * Can you dodge a lasso ?” sneered Cavello. “Vf thrown by you I can—yes, or two—three of thém—— for money,” quietly retorted Mustang Sam, Ata gesture from Don Blas, a little, swarthy man ad- vanced and produced a long leathern pouch from which he extracted a bandful of glittering onzas. “How many have you there ?” demanded Mustang. ° “Twelve, senor,” was the reply, as he counted the handful of gold coins, which were promptly covered. “ But the terms of the bet,” interposed Don Munez. “That he can not dodge three of our lussoes—”’ | “Let’s make it a little plainer, senor,” interrupted Mus- tang Sam. “ Weare all to be mounted, armed as we are How, to ride where and how we please. You are each to use & single lasso. I will use my knife and yonder broken lance- _ butt. If I do not disable your Jassoes, you win; if you fail to unhorse me before then, I win. No other person is to in- _ terfere, unless one of us attempts to make use of other weap- » Os than the ones named. Do you agree ?” “ Yes, only—” Well, senor ?” inquired Mustang, as he hesitated. “T just happened to think that you might wish to leave comliclooksscon