“Oh, it was cowardly!” cried the senorita, clasping her hands impulsively.
“Most probably it was the act of some irresponsible person,” declared Jack, unwilling to give his host more pain.
“He shall suffer for it if he is caught,” was the rejoinder; then turning to one of the officials of the course, the Don told him to announce that Jack would try again.
This time a roar of genuine surprise went up as Jack swept by in a cloud of dust and transfixed the ring as deftly as any of his predecessors.
“Bravo!” cried the Don, “and shame on any of my countrymen who will not say likewise.”
This had its effect on those within hearing of the Don, but on the outskirts of the crowd, where the lower element of the town predominated, low hootings and expressions of dissatisfaction were heard.
On the next round several of the Mexicans failed, but Walt, Ralph and Jack each got one of the rings. This placed Jack and the three Mexicans who had succeeded on an even basis.
The crowd began to shout encouragement to its representatives. One of them, a tall fellow on a splendid horse, turned to Jack as they stood awaiting their turns once more.
“A bet of twenty pesos on the Mexican team, senor,” he said.