The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-24
NEW SERIES-NO. l73.

mou b. He WAS unmistakably astouuded.
Como, let's load again" said Joe.
"4an Pablo" exclaimed Bixar, "you
must use some some what you call him
some trick, ehs l shall load the pie.
tol myself"
"Do so," said Joc, calmly, and ss be
spoke he coolly handed over bis powder
flask.
"The Spaniard poured out nextrs guam
tity Of powder. aud having poured II 10 the
pistol. called for rammer. He then put
the same ball In he uscd before. Mean.
while, Joe had been loading his own pistol.
"One moment uttered Joe, reaching out
his hand. "Tho CAPS arc In tho butt Of
your pistol. Lot me yet them"
The fellow handed over his pistol, but
kept his eyes upon H. Joe opened little
.ssl':as sprias at the end Of the butt and, true,
there were some percussion caps there. He
took out two. aud having capped bis own
pistol, hc tossed u into tho air. catching II
very adroitly m II came down, and then
handed back the other 10 tho SpaniArd.
had watched Joe most carefully, but saw
nothing out OF tho way, and yet be changed
pistols with his foe.
Now" said he. +" III put ball In my
pistol, and then We will be ready"
Ile slipped something In that looked like
q cartridge, but no one elsc saw II.
Now. said the Spaniard, let's sce you
hold this In your mouth"
Again they took their stations and again
they were ready.
"Ono- -two---threaH
And the Spaniard fred first. by aim, Joe
firing In the air ~ before. And again Jos
stepped forward and took the self same ball
out Of his mouth and handed II TO his IN.
tagoaist. The fellow WINS completely dumb.
founded and swore the rest.
"Yeu no are at me !" gasped the captain.
"Ill fire nj you tho next time, said ice,
In tone Of thunder thus lar have only
shown you that powder and ball can have no
effect on me. Twice have you fired ut mo
with m true pistol m WINS ever made, and
both times have ] caught your ball between
my teeth, while ] have fired In the sir. ]
meant that you should live long enough TO
know that Tor once n your life you bAd secn,
II not tho old fellow himSli, (pointing down
ward.) at least one who " In bis employ.
The old gentleman will like the company OF
Spanish captain Of Infantry, and III send
you along Come. load again
But The sstonished Spaniard did not seem
inclined 10 do W. A man who swallowed
carving knives NJ be would mrdincs, and
who caught pistol balls between his tsetb,
was not exactly the man for him 70 deal
with. While he WAS pondering upon what
he had seen, Joe took handful Of bullets
from his pocket, and began TO toss them
rapidly down his throat, and when tbcso
were gone he picked up some half dozen good
sizsd stones. and sent them after tho bullets.
Holy Sauta Maris," calculated the
Spanard, while bis eyes seemed starting
from their sockets What man By my
soul. It's the devil r.
Aud as be thus spoke be turned on his
heel and hurried away from the place.
After he was gone, jos beckoned for ine 10
give him tho knives. did 20. and then
saw him slip them up his coat sleeves.
When be- returned 10 the cafe be- approach
ed the keeper.
"You want your knives" he said
But the poor fellow dare not speak. Joe
put Lis hand 10 his right ear and pulled out
one Of his long knives. Then from his left
ear he drew the other. The innkcepcr
crossed himself In terror and shrank tremb
ling away. But We finished our wine, and
having paid for II, turned 10 20.
Here" said Joe, haven't paid for
the uss Of the yard yet" and ~ be spoke he
threw down q piece Of silver on the counter.
"No! no mol" shrieked the poor fellow.
Don't leave your money here, don't"
Joe picked II UP. and went away laugh
ing.
Ever after that. while be remained at Ms-
hon. Joe LAtti wW an object both OF curl
osity and terror 90 shore. for IN account,
al coored 10 snit the exaggerated concep-
ton Of the cafe keeper, bad been spread
over the city, and the pious Catholics there
wanted nothing 10 do With such man, only
10 keep on bis good-humored aide.