“The Don has a whole gallery full of them,” he said, “and naturally I made comparisons.”
“With the advantage in favor of the living type,” chuckled Ralph; “say, you’re as easy to see through as a spy glass, and——”
“See here, Ralph Stetson, you shut up or I’ll soak you,” sputtered Jack, looking rather sheepish over his companion’s raillery.
Ralph deemed it prudent to change the subject.
“They certainly do things in style here,” he said, gazing in admiration at the scene of busy preparation which was going forward on the level fields at the base of the hill on which the hacienda was situated. Jack agreed with him. Already a big force of men was at work roping off a course for the sports, and decorating the poles in the national colors.
At one end of the course several peons were erecting a rather tall pole with a swing cross-bar affixed to the top. From this cross-bar depended a cord to which was attached a ring by a snap contrivance. At the other end of the bar hung a heavy bag filled with sawdust. This was for the game of Tilt the Ring, as they were to learn later. Each contestant was required to pass a lance through the ring so skillfully as to remove it from the snap bolt. If he did not succeed it was obvious that the bag of sawdust would swing around and deal him a blow before he could get out of its reach.
“Looks like a bully game,” opined Jack, after the two boys had asked some questions of an English-speaking peon, “but what happens to you if the sack hits you?”
“Maybe stick on. More maybe you fall off,” grinned the man.
“Humph,” grunted Ralph, “I don’t know so much about that game. Looks pretty strenuous to me.”
Soon after, they visited the stables where Coyote Pete and Walt already were. Coyote had his lariat out, stretching it and getting it supple and ready for the afternoon’s test, for the sports were to commence after the midday meal. Walt was rubbing the knees of his horse with care. Firewater and Petticoats,—for Ralph had given his new pony the old name,—whinnied as Ralph and Jack entered, and their glowing eyes and shiny coats showed that they were in fine fettle. In a stall by them stood the horse they had appropriated from the outlaws. It was a fine beast, somewhat heavy, perhaps, but strongly limbed and sinewed.