Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-01-25
a California Adventure-An Episode In
the Life of a Prize Fighter.

ed tavern in California, in the times of
the Vigilance Committee, stood tall,
rufiianly looking individual A wide
brimmed sombrero was slouched over
his swarthy, hairy face, and his garments
hung loosely over a frame that gave
every indication of wondrous muscular
development.
His black eyes flashed out revengeful
fires. His long black hair, thrown be :
hind his ears with that rude carelessness
which ever characterizes the vagabond,
and his closed white lips, and clenched
hands, proclaimed the desperate anger
that animated his heart. A belt con-
tanning three revolvers was but half
concealed beneath his coat, and ever
and anon his hand would fall upon it
as if he was prepared to draw forth one
of his formidable weapons and blow the
contents into the face of the man who
stood before him.
This individual looked to be about
thirty years of age. He was one of those
rough Wild men that gave to California,
at the time of which, we write, the
reputation of being dangerous
region-who helped, by their actions,
to create Vigilance Committees, and
who ever and always escaped the pun
ishment that was melted out to other and
less guilty men.
He was most formidable ruHian, and
could whip, as he boosted himself, any
man of bis weight in the locality
where he lived.
He had fought many prize ring
battles, many duels; be was well
known as one of the most desperate
rufians the new born State had pro-
duced AS man who would not
scruple to take life, and whose greatest
delight was to see man bringing the
blood of man. and who loved the fire
and destruction of murder, riot, ravage
and desolation. The name he bore
was as horrible as himself. Cut throat
Bill, was an appellation that was infa-
nous throughout the length and breadth
of California. 1t was feared and hated
at the mines, detested in the cities, but
loved by the blackguards and gamblers
of the dclectable locality in which he
moved.
The man to whom he was talking
was tall, slender, gentlemanly looking
parsonage; his face was very hand
some, and expressed great resolution
his eyes were of the greyish blue order,
very cold when angry; warm and full
of humor when in the social circle
How ne came to be a temporary
occupant of the miserable tavern where
we find him, is easy for the reader to
understand, who has spent even a
month in California, travelling about
from place to place
The last person we have described
was seated near the large fire place,
when the rufian, Cut-throat Bill, en-
tered. The bully had looked about him
for moment or two, and seeing the
slim frame and the gentlemanly bearing
Of the stranger, at once picked him out
as the object of his wrath.
He seized his chair by the back and
dragged it from the fire. No sooner
had he done SO, however, than the
gentleman was upon his feet.
"What do you mean, sir, by such an
act?' he cired, while his eyes flashed
with anger.
"What do I mean p returned the
bully-sI mean to have that ere chair
cha" cried the stranger suddenly,
and he twirled it out of the reach of
Bill, and Immediately confronted him.
In the meantime a magnifcently
built, compact looking man had arisen
from his corner and unobserved, ap-
preached the stranger, and leaning upon
the counter of the tavern, he watched
closely the actions of the bully.
"That ere chars mine, an ye may
bet yer life I'll have it" and Bill darted
upon the man before him, and Selling
him by the shoulder, hurled him to the
farther eni of the room. He caught the
chair as it fell from the grasp Of the
man and Immediately planted himself
in the same. He had no sooner done
SO, however, THAI the strange man
sprang npon him and planted heavy
blow under the ear. 1t had no effect
upon him, however, for he Immediately
came to his feet and grappled with him