The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-22
Square at La.t.,.'

s..5 a lEquar., at Last. >,.l,
" Ths'Englishman:At large is noshtuR IL
! n8s o spoftsman, and the New World
snoE9s nim - hknlar advantages for, the
indulgence OF bis pet proolivities. He
VINO. IN the lightness Of his heArs, eays
20 himself, Let me get up and kill
sometnlhgG is.. in. America, seldom at !
loss Tor something to kill, and can please
himself as TO the size Of his game, frbm
the dainty qaaii to tough old Ebenexer,
the renowned ''grizzly" himself.
a lew years ago, was much embar-
rassed by the difficulty of choice. Flo.
rida heid many attractions, but, on the
other hand, l was strongly tempted to
Try the hanting-grounds about 200 miles
Wese OF omaha. where, an energetic
Western friend wrote me, all kinds of
game were to be had in plenty, espe-
olaiiy, he Informed me, in q fine burst OF
enthusiasm, ."big game, deer. buffaloes,
bears, -and-Indians. With many
sigh, turned from this alluring pres.
peot, involving the sacrifoe,of too much
time, and betook myself to the st. John
River, Florida. and, engaging the SER
vices OF one Lafayette K Wallop, bet.
tor known in that part as Chunky Lafe,
In allusion to his thick. set muscular con-
formation. as huntsman, boatman, and
general factotum. I set out in quest of
deer. LATE padding away at a great
pace. Chunky Lafe was silent man,
sparlng OF his speech, but prodigal of
his thews and sinews. His powerful
strokes sent the light craft flying rapidly
past the marshy banks, wooded to the
waters edge, till. just as I was begin
ming to enjoy tho enforced repose of the
passive tenant OF canoe. q sudden
shout from the hunter startled mo ont
OF my semi-som nolent condition.
"Say, boss" said the Chunky one,
guess you'd best 10y down in the Ca
''Why on earth should lie down? I
do not SEQ euy reason for hiding"
"Wal, fact is, Hefty Bill Slocum is
coming up stream"
"And what have to do with Mr.. Slo-
cum?"I snapped ont rather impatientIy.
"Wal. yer see, Bill and me is on shoot
ing terms, and every time we meet we
air kinder bound to have o crack at each
other; 30 as guess you, o'yurnel, nin't
in this deal, you ought not to put up
any stakes; this here mues ain't none of
your funeral, but it might soon be if
you KEEP settin' up thar"
Here was delightful situationl Two
Southern desperadoes burning TO en-
gage in an aquatic duel, all remonstrance
or interference absolutely useless; the
agreeable prospect of the canoe being
upset in broad, rapid river, thickly
teuanted by slIigators, being coupled
with the probability of being accident
ally picked off by the rifle OF Mr.. Slo.
cum.
However,, as the exposure Of my upper
works to Hefty Bills fire could serve no
useful purpose, followed the advice OF
Lafe, and lay down tolerably we'll under
cover, breathing many prayer for tue
success Of our side. Peering over tho
edge, saw that our opponent was wait
ing, rifle in hand. for us to come within
range, feat we were accomplishing with
detestahle rapidity, while my gondolier's
rifle was ut hand ready oocked, 80 that
he conld drop the paddle and seize the
weapon at the slightest movement of his
adversary. Nearer we came. not sound
breaking the denth-like silence, but the
light plash of the paddle as Lafe, by
few last vigorous strokes. shot within
range OF the enemy. Dropping bis
paddle, with lightning speed. the hunter
seized his rifle. The report of the two
weapons rang ont together as accurately
as If the oombatants had fired by signal.
The plash and ricochet of Slocum' 3 bull
let told my man WINS nnhurt, when
Chunky Lafe, lifting his fox-skin cap,
said slowly and solemply:
Square ut last, Bill Slocuml Poor
Sal"
A canoe foating lazily down the river
was all that remained to tell that Hefty
Bill Slocum had ever existed.
The mention of woman's name by
my usually taciturn guide naturally
awakened my curiosity; but tho moment
did not seem favorable for investigating
the mystery, 30 discreetly held my
tongue, but suppose looked iuquiringly
enough. as, after padding swiftly and
silently for nearly an hour, Life igned
to open his lips.
"Beg pardon, o'yurnel, for Dustin up
your days sport with my privnte biz.
but gness you'll excuse mo when I tell
You the story. Thar's good friend of
mine lives around the creek here, and if
you don't MUD we'll lay over at his
shanty. and after supper Ill tell you the
rights of tho nluss 'twixt mo and Bill"
1 consented gladly enough, feeling
that after the scene iust onacted MI