A roar of ridicule rose from the cheaper part of the house. Jackman

sprang to his feet, ran across the ring, and made another attempt; and

failed again. The roar of mockery rose now like one vast derisive cheer.

Jackman, glaring round the audience, his lips drawn from his teeth in a

snarl, waited till the horse came round, then struck at it, as if to

show that the animal and not he was in fault.

The laughter, derision, gave place suddenly to a yell of objurgation.

Two young men, obviously cowboys, sprang over the low barrier, and

Jackman, after a moment's hesitation, turned and ran. One of the cowboys

caught the horse, and the audience, breathless and silent now, waited

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for events. Derrick, who had been watching the scene closely, came

slowly, almost saunteringly, across the ring to the two young men.




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