Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-09-12
Duels in the Southwest.

which are published iu the August mum
ber Of Harper's Monthly. He tells O.
a descendent of General Philip Schuy
Ter, who, some thirty years ago, while
travelling in that section, was set upon
by an outlaw. He says:
"The mans name was Gamble; be
had committed innumerable murders
and deied arrest and punishment. He
had been repeatedly warned by the con
stitutional authorities of his State, de-
clared an outlaw and a large reward of.
fered for his arrest. Schuyler was 8
stranger. and at the time waiting at the
village tavern for the mail stage. Tc
loiter away the time, he was, with a
number of villagers, sitting at table
amusing himself with conversation and
indulging at the same time in fits Of
laughter. Suddenly the party was in
terrupted with yell almost as loud as
steam whistle, which noise was fol.
lowed by volley of braggadocio epi.
thets and the general inquiry, "What
the people round the table were making
all that noise about p
The parties in the locality turned
pale as they recognized the redoubtable
Gamble, for they saw there was mischief
in his phrenzied eye. The outlaw hav,
Ing delivered himself of the opinion
that every man present was sneak and
coward, ended with deliberately dis
charging a mouthful ofitobacco spittle
upon the polished boot of Schuyler, who
was the only person in the room who
could, by external appearance, be pro-
nouuced gentleman. The rude men
who witnessed this congratulated them
selves that the blow had fallen upon a
helpless traveller, and that in the skir-
mishing and catastrophe that must fol-
low they could make their escape.
To Schuyler this insult was electrical
and, rising with indignation, he de-
manded of Gamble, (of whose history at
the time he knew nothing:
Ibid you intentionally spit upon my
boot ?"
Gamble was speechless with rage and
astonishment, and soon as he could re-
cover the use of his tongue, be thun.
dered out:
"Yes and I'll do the same for your
face next time"
But before he could carry his dis.
gusting threat into execution, Schuyler
struck the outlaw such a blow in the
chest that the rufian went against the
wall. In another instant the parties
closed with each other, and a rough and
tumble fight ensuedin which each party
attempted in vain to use their knives
The spectators formed ring and looked
on as coolly as if it had been dog fight
If Gamble was killed they got rid of the
terror of the vicinity; if the stranger
what difference did it make to them
The fight continued, without seeming
damage, until both parties separated fol
moment from exhaustion but as they
were about to renew the contest, the
landlord interfered and suggested that
both men be shut up in dark room
each armed with revolver and bowie
knife, and be thus left in a quiet way
to fight it out in quiet way like gen
tlemen.
The proposition was received with
cheers, and Gamble especially endorsed
the proposition. Schuyler was silent
but showed himself as resolute as tiger
When the duelists were placed on the
opposite sides of the room by the land
lord, and he was about to disappear
the brave said:
"Major, have julep ready for me ir
fifteen minutes" Schuyler said ::
"If fall you will find thirty dollars
on my person, and silver watch; bury
me deceutly, and keep what remain.
above expenses for your trouble
"The landlord then retired and lock
ed the door, the bar-room spectators
hanging round the outside, speculatina
on the result or betting drinks or small
sums of money to back up their opin
ions. Not a person in that crowd be
lieved that Schuyler stood the slightes
possible chance of escaping with hi
life. These frontiersmen could not be
lieve that a delicately built, gentlemanly
man, with efeminate face and fair hand'
could be equal to such an encounter.
"Many seconds elapsed before any
noise was heard; then followed quicl
reports of the pistols. 1t was eviden
that a deadly struggle was going on
and one Of the party seemed to have
fallen on the floor. Again scuffle en-
sued, aud again body fell.
"The persons in the bar-room nov
Joined those up stairs, and headed b,
the landlord the eden" was opened. A
terrible sight of blood met the eyes o
these men. Gamble vas already deat
and Schuyler lay on the floor insensibl'
from the loss of blood.
"Nothing could exceed the care tha
was bestowed upon Schuyler by his nov
enthusiastic frontier admirers. The,
sat by his bedside and watched
him as their child. In few weeks h'
was perfectly restored to health and th'
people the country round came to thanl
him for his prowress. 1t is further sta
ted that by the advice of his friend, tn
Landlord, who refused all remuneration
for his hospitality, Schuyler went to th'
capital of tho State and obtained no
Ionly the reward set upon the outlaw
life, but was also the recipient Of a com
lplimentary dinner from the Governo
and other high officials He even ha'
Lucrative an honorable inducements hel,