The Lincoln County herald., 1872-02-08
SQUARE AT LAST.

NSVA0L ~ IhDIs
A few years ogo l ives much embar.
rassed by tho difficulty Of choice Of good
gamo. Florida held out many attrac-
tious, but, on tho other hand, l was
strongly tempted 10 try the hun, log
grounds abou. two hundred miles west OF
Omaha, where, an energetic Western
friend wrote me, all kinds of game were
to be had 10 .plcnty, especially, he in
formed me, in fine burst of enthusiasm IN,
"big game" deer, buffaloes, bears. and
and Indians, With many o sigh
turned from this alluring prospect, as
involving the sacrifice Of too much lime,
and betook myself to the st. John River,
Florida, and, engaging the services of
one Lafayette X. WaIlop, better known
in that part of the country as Chunky
Lafe, in ullusion to his thick set, muscu.
lar confor nation, as huntsman, boatmsn,
and general factotum, l set out in his
canoe, in quest OF deer, Lafe padding
uwuy at great pace. Chunky Lsfs was
silent man, spariug 10 his speech, but
prodieal Of Lis thews and siDews. His
powerful strokos cent the light craft fy.
ing rapidly past tho marsby banks,
wooded to the waters edge, till, just as |
was beginning to enjoy the enforced re-
pose Of the passive tenant Of q canoe, a
sudden shout from tho hunter startled
me out Of my semi.somnolent condition
"Say, boss" said the Chunky one
guess you'd better lay down in the
canoe"
"Why on earth should lie down?
do not see any reason for hiding"
"Wal, fact is, Hefty Bill Slocum is
coming up stream"
"And what have I to do with Mr.
Slocum p l snapped out rather ,.A :
patiently.
"Wal yer see, Bill and me is on shoot
ing terms, and every time we meet we ali,
kinder bound to have a crack at each
other; so as guess you ought not to
put up any stakes; this here muss aint
none Of your funeral, but it might soon
be if you KEEP se,tin' up thar"
Here was delightful situation Two
desperadoes burning to engage in an
|
ference absolutely useless; the agreeable
prospect Of the canoe being upset in q
broad, rapid river, thickly tenantcd by
alligators, being coupled with the proba
bility Of being accidentally picked off by
the rife of Mr.. Slocum.
However, as the exposure Of my uppe,
works to Hefty Bills fire could serve no
useful purpose. l followed the advice Of
Lafe aud lay down tolerably we'll under
cover. Peering over the edge saw tha,
our opponent was waiting, rifle in hand,
for US to come within range, q feat we w.r.
accomplishing with detes,uble rapdity,
while my gondolicr's rifle was at hand
ready cooked, SO that he could drop the
paddle and seize his weapon at the slight.
est movement Of his adversary. Nearer
and nearer we came, not sound break
ing the deathlike silence but the light
plash Of the paddle, as Lafe, by d lew
vigorous strokes, shot within range oi
the enemy. Dropping his paddle with
lightning speed, the hunter seized his
rifle. The report Of two weapons rang
out together as accurately as if the com
batants had fred by signal. The plash
aud rcochet of Slocum's bullet TOLD me
my man was unhurt, when Chunky Lafe
lifting his foxskin cap, said, slow y and
solemnly:
square at last, Bill Slocum Poo,
Sal |"
A cunoe floating lazily down the river
was all that remained to tell that Bill
Slocum had ever existed.
The mention of womsn's name by
my usually taciturn guide naturally
awakened my curiosity, but the moment
did not seem favorable for investigating
the mystery, so | discreetly held my
tongue, but l suppose looked inquiringly j
enough, as, after padding swiftly and
silently for nearly an hour, Lafe deigned
to open his lips.
beg pardon, c'yurnel, for Dustin w
your days sport with my private biz
but guess you'll excuse me when tel
you the story. Thar's a good friend o.
mine lives around the creek here, and il
you don't mind we'll lay over at hi.
shauty. and after supper III tell you the
rights Of the muss 'twixt me and Bill"
| | consented gladly enough. feeling tha
after the scene just enacted all hunting
would be utterly tame and spiriiless
Padding a short distance up a narrow
tributary stream (always called q creek
iu these countries) We came upon large
and checrful.looking homestead. Lafc',
friend received US with true American
hospitality; his house, his meat, hi
drink, his horses aud his dogs were all a
our service in a moment. After a stiff
horn Of Monongahela to whet (very un
necessarily our appstites. We fell pcll
NELL on a savory meal OF oysters, fish snd
bear meat, not forgetting hog and hom
my. At the conclusion of . repast
worthy Of full grown boaconstrictors, oul