Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-04-20

cred, and the nature OF the soil wa
quite different fromihat we had passct
over. We were certainly "pproachin.
the Andes; and, sure enough, two days
aiterward, we sawihcir hug" glsrnin.
tops piercing faro above the Clouds
Several peaks werc5emiling smoke, an(
many were crowned with pc'prlua
snow. Lassos aud 6olaS were laid n>d,
for bows and arrows, OF which vigor
Gus manufacture commenced. as soon a,
we struck the forests on the eastern
slope of the Andes. Laurels, myr es,
Expresses, aud other similar lree!. here
assume gigantic proportions. Guauaco,
cougars, and jaguars and monkeys wcr,
sufficiently Numerous while the vicuna
alpoca, and llama became special object,
OF the chase as we progressed to the
norlhward. Bat we were also trcOching
an unemy's country, for the Auricanar
Indians aud Wnshs tribe were at bitter
CGud, and a conflict would be inevitable
should we meet one of their parties.
EpiIepsys jealorsy had grown into
downright hated, which he took occa-
sion to exhibit 50 violently, on one occa.
sion, that | was compelled to challenge
him, then and there, offering him one OF
my pistols aud keeping the other to set,
tie the matter, He objected on the
ground of not being familiar with their
use. | then proposed to fight without
any weapons at all, each to Use the
arms that nature gave, and the one Nh1
got worst to renounce his SUIT. The
rascal accepted Immediately, depending
on his immense physical strength to
crush me at oucc. You remember. Con.
that | was iavoric pupil of Ouingtou,
and my right hand had not forgot its
cunning. Constant, vigorous exercise,
for nearly six months, had trained my
muscles aud | was never in better con-
diion. Marie was greatly alarmed, but
partially removed her fears by affirm.
ing that | could whip the big brute in
less than ten minutes. The contest
about to take place was so strange an
one to the Indians, the parties to it so
notable, and the cause so interesting,
that great interest was felt in the result
Every one but myself seemed assured
that old Epilepsy would use me up,
without the least trouble.
| should think it was about Ten 0 clock
a. M. when we took our places for the
fight. Epilepsy had nothing on his per-
son but strong breech cloth but |
wore pair Of corduroy knee breechcs
which happened to have, stout lcath
cr belt, and a pair Of thick Solcd shoes
They had never touched our baggage,
a&d | was fully supplied with good
clothing. My hands, face, aud neck
were well broSued hui the rest of my
person S glisteniUg white. BY Jovc,
how the indians looked, when they saw
me come forward, They handled me,
touched my skin, fit Of my muscles,
and expressed surprise in many differ.
ent ways Epilepsy took his position,
about six feet off; raised both arms
high above his head, with the intention
of crushing me at once, and then rushed
forward. quickly slipped under, aud
gave him a smashing right-hander, full
in the wind. He doubled up Tor all the
world like a circusclown making 4 gro.
tcsque bow, uttered II great grunt, and
reeled backward. He was sick at the
stomach. Again he rushed forward,
and, once more | delivered s,raigh,
shot luto his provelder box. This COM
PEELED him to cross his arms over the
damaged place and lean forward, VIXEN
planted an circuit full on his pro-
bocis, spilling lots Of clarct. Tie got
groggy, wheu, rapidly following up my
advantage, | planted three or four
heavy aud rapid blows about his eyes :;
then, llectiug all my strength, landed
a singer under lis right ear. He fell
like d huge log, the ground quakiuJ at
his tal. Every time he rose TO his
knees, | knocked him down, until the
punishment becoming 50 severe, he
roared with pain. At length, feeling
quite secure, allowed him TO rise but,
instead of renewing the fight, he took
to his heels, followed by the hooting and
derision Of the whole band. | had moi
received scratch; and, TO do the say
ages justice, they complimented me
highly ou my victory, expressing much
pleasure at the novel entertainment.
Two days afterward, old Epilepsy was
missing. He had lost caste aud tax,
ing relative with him, had gone to
join another band.
Soon arerward we encountered a
large party of Auracauians-nearl
twice as numerous as we We're; but we
sided out for fight. My shotgun was
loaded with sIugs and slung across my
back. Pedro, Rodriguez, and myself
dismounted, so as to do good shooting.
They were both good marksme1, and
had excellent tools; while the savages
were armed with bows and arrows, au-
ces, lassos, aud boIas. Marie remained
with my small party; and when the
enemy had come within about forty
yards, we opened lively fire, which
Immediately left three horses without
riders. This success Of ours greatly en-
couraged the Patagouians, who made Il
charge, which was accompanied by an
other volley from the guns, clearing out
few more. Surprl,ed and panic
stricken at this unexpected reception, the
Auracanians fled, pursued by the Pata-
uoniaus. who succeeded in killing five