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314 ALONSO IMITATING KAHLED. would not face the long pole when he saw it coming toward his head, so took the bit in his mouth and turn- ed away, being afraid of getting a thump, but the equine's timidity was fatal to its rider. Alonso was in the height of his glory. It was the most pleasurable experience of his life, sitting on that noble steed with aU the confidence possible for any human to have in his breast. It was a rapid gait which Alonso took, and as his horse got warmed up it seemed as though it was made of springs, so nicely did he respond to the slightest pressure. Within ten minutes, seven of the men were walking from the arena, if the prairie can be so called. Now the other three remaining men plainly saw what the result would be, so riding up to each other col- duded they would double up on their redoubtable op- ponent, and all three rushed abreast toward Alonso, but he instantly took in the situation and pretended to come toward them at fuU speed; but just a few yards before reaching the three he caused his horse to swerve to the right, so that he passed aU three out of reach; of course, the three went rushing past at break-neck speed, but as soon as they found their plans were thwarted they puUed up their horses to bring them to a stop so as to turn toward their antag- onist; but Alonso knew his plan, which ^a^, that no sooner had he got from in front of the trio than his horse was brought around and was following the three before they had time to observe what had hap- pened, and just as the nearest man to our champion was about to turn his horse, he found a spear coming in contact with his body, which came so sudden that