Dudley gave the gaucho no opening, and with a growl of disgust, and a laugh which did not deceive the lookers-on, Giono decided that three shots should be allowed at the flying target.
"Well and good. Then shoot," exclaimed Pietro, his eyes flashing, with excitement.
"Come, Giono, there is the mark, and you shoot first," said the man who had measured the distance. "Here is the line. Take your post."
They watched eagerly and almost breathlessly as the gaucho toed the line scratched in the earth with the rowel of a spur. For there was something out of the ordinary in this contest. Gringos had been tried before many a time, and failed almost without exception. But there was something different here, something which the gauchos could not fathom. They knew little or nothing of this gringo, but his self-assurance impressed them. It had already made Giono feel a little uncertain, though he tried to think that there was no danger.
"Bah," he said, as he went to the line, "it is another of these cocksure pups from Europe, only this one has a bigger head than the rest! There is more swelling in it. The friendship of our employer has puffed him out. We shall see."
He drew his revolver, lifted it, and fired, smashing the pith ball into a number of pieces.
"Good! I could do that when a child," he boasted. "Shall I fire the other shot for the señor?"
"Thanks, no! If you will kindly stand fast where you are I will shoot from here. It is a little farther, and perhaps more difficult."
Another mark had been hastily placed in position, and, seeing that all was clear, Dudley, who happened to be some ten paces behind and to the left of Giono, drew his weapon, and in a flash the ball was splintered, a feat which brought a shout of delight from the gauchos, while Giono paled under his dusky mud-colored skin, and swore beneath his breath.
"One to us, señor!" sang out Pietro. "The gun which Giono promised is mine, or yours, if you wish to have it. Now for the other part. Give me a bolas, and I will take up my station. Better still, let me have six of the coils, then I can cast them without waiting. Let all the rest stand behind the firers. Come, comrades, time is getting along."