The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-12-30
THE PRAIRIE DUEL.

counted by the few hunters and settlers
it as district in itself, and
they called it Little Elk Prairie. Among
the half-wild characters who had built for
novels of driftwood and brush
on this bit of rolling plain was huge
hulking fellow of mixed French Canadian,
Indian, and negro blood, whose name was
Bendbow Laval. A complete savage in ap-
his clothing, whether in summer
or winter, never consisted of more than two
ragged shirt and trousers, the
material of which was rendered problemat-
ical by age and dirt. The mass Of woolly,
iron-gray hair by which his head was
thatched was crowned by something that
had once been portion of hat; and his
immense stockingless feet were thrust into
rude cowskin shoes, with holes cut in them
to accommodate certain peculiarities of
shape and pedal excrescence. From his
huge size and muscular development, Laval
was more than match for any one of the
dwellers of Little Elk Prairie, none of
whom were "chickens' as regarded ply
sical strength. Entirely devoid of educa-
tion-for he did not know one letter of the
alphabet from another-nevertheless the
great coarse fellow had sort of chivalry
about him which might or might not have
been derived from his share of French
blood. His appreciation of the benefits and
etiquette of duelling was intense, and he
had more kthan once killed his antagonist
in fair fight. A much more dangerous
man to deal with than Laval was Habakuk
Sans, by origin Yankee, as his name de-
notes, but prairie man by prediction
and long residence. "Hab," as he was
called by the men of the plain, was thin
wiry man Of middle age, with brick-red
complexion and very light hair. He was
an excellent marksman, and had reputa-
tion for courage, shown in encounters with
Indians and bears; but he always pre-
fcrred mild stratagem to skill or strength
for the discontinue of his foes. He had
several disputes with Laval, on the common
basis of accusation that each was in the
habit of stealing animals from the others
traps. This, in the code of the plains, is an
offence. Men caught in the act
have frequently been killed on the spot,
and when the offender was an Indian there
are traditions OF his having been tortured
before being put to death. Whether Hab
Sans had ever defrauded Laval by pur-
loining fur creatures from the traps set
by the latter never transpired. But that
Laval was fur-thief was established be-
yond doubt when he was seen carrying to
his hovel, one day, black wolf, caught in
a trap set by Hab, and which the latter
had left there purposely to test the hon.
esty of his rival. Hab's first idea was to
fire upon the purloiner of his property, and
so adjust the matter without any need of
further reference or appeal. On further
consideration, however, he approached
Laval, and, taxing him with the theft de-
manded restitution of mis- property or "rea-
son why" "Take that, then," howled
the huge fellow, hurting the wolf with such
a force at Hab that it knocked him down
and sent him spinning distance of several
feet. In moment Hab Sans had risen on
one knee, and, taking aim at his antago-
mist, fired, but without effect, owing to the
furry caused by the suddenness of the
assault. On proceeding to reload his rifle
he remembered that he had no powder ;but
Laval was in similar predicament, for all
the powder in the place had been expended
in recent hunt, and they were awaiting
the arrival Of messenger with some from
the nearest trading post. Drawing their
knives then, the two approached each
other for deadly conflict, which would
have been an unequal one, however, owing
to the superior strength of Laval, who was
also proficient in the use of the knife.
Knowing how slight his chance was with
such an antagonist, Hab Sans paused, and
looking fixedly at Laval, said, "If you are
a man, and not a cowardly sneak, you will
fight it out with me in another way, and
give me an equal chance of my life."
Z" What way do you want TO settle it,
then ?'' said the other. "Pm As good as
you anyhow, and amt afraid to get square
with you any way you please. Name your
plan, and I'll go you even ON it," "Well,
them" rejoined Hab, "here's what we'll
do, If you have heart enough to do 1t, as l
have. Let's 60 to the place where the
prairie dogs burrow, away over there. The
rattlesnakes that live there are big, and
unfailing with their deadly fangs. Let
each Of us choose a burrow, lie down in
front of it, thrust his arm in to the shoul-
del, and wait to see which Of us will die