The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-01-25
DUEL TO THE DEATH,

It was early in the mouth Of May, 1856,
that ! was standing in the shade of Q
monster oak tree, in tie nobiest of Cali.
fornia noble valleys, the great San Joa.
quin, enjoying Its refreshing shade after
toilsome Journey Of some thirty miles. over
an arid PLAN, and under a broiling sun. |
had turned my horse loose, to crop some
Of the luxuriant flagree which covered the
plain for miles around, and caused it to
look like well kept lawn. The plain
was covered with animated beings. There
were loving herds of half wild cattle, and
droves Of wild horses, antelope and elk, in
the hazy distance. There was cakalIada
of wild horses, and herd of stately elk
at "a short distance from me, feeding by
the side Of a placid lake, in faneied secur-
ity rhe Lake was characteristic of Cali
fornia, which is so rich In all that is
novel and helutiful and over It's broad
bosom myriads Of wild water fowl were
scattered in the greatest profusion There
was flock OF stately swans, sailing to and
tro like miniature fleet, and there were
geese, and ducks of many species ana va
rious gaudy hues, mingling together In
seeming peace and friendship, and On the
banks there were herons. cranes and other
water fowl, supporting themselves en- one
leg, while the other was drawn UP quite
opt Of SIGHT, under their long grey plum
age, and their necks were drawn in. until
oni y. them beads were visible. They had
gorged themselves on the fish which
swarmed In the lake, and were now doing
until next meal time. G1L&
And there are focks of large grew
birds, nearly as tall as famlng goes. stalk ing
along the margin Of the lake, like sentres
on picket There are the gruya, the wild
turkey OF the IIispauo American, and thew
abound in North Mexico and California
And bish up IN the air, the eagle SCARED
and screamed, and occasionally darted
down 10 the snrflce of the lake after "a
duck, or mayhap one of tho fnny tribe,
and II successful, bore it off to his home in
y0nder blasted oak tree in whose Ton
NEST branches yon observe a great mass
Of dead wood.
| stood gazing around me for few mo.
ments on this lonely scene, and then at
the surrounding country. | remained
leaning against II tree, lost IL dreamy
reVerie. when all at once | 'Sas aroused
far Of vet clear and distinct. | started up
and looked around 10 see whence came
the sound. | could see nothing bpt the
The h9rses and elk were bounding away
ever the prairie, my horse came whining
up to lac IN alarm, the gruyas had taken
TO wing, the eagle had ceased his scream.
ing, and even The listleSs storks had arsus-
Cd themselves to a listening attitude !
hear the bay again, 1t comes from the
north. IL asst my eyes over the plain a
seeondtime. ! see moving fgnres there,
dimly outlined against the distant horizon
there are horsemcn three of them-in
pursuit o! something about as large as =.
OK, anu IT. II running this way. The bay
ing OF the hounds grew louder as they
approached, until they themselves eame
into view, | hurrledly mounted nv horse,
winch IS standing at my side, and then
Waltso sec the issue OF the chase. The
animal approaches large elk--aLd
closo behind the three horscmen ride il
eager pursuit. Two Of hem are armed
with REVIEWERS, while the third carries
coiled up IN MS land Icing RATA They
are all admirably mounted, the first two
on 1arge. bas, While. lie Of the riatl be-
strides large iron gray Arab, of superb
carriage, with = hng full tail, pointed at
the end anil carried like the brush of Il nm.
nmg fox A splendid animal to look upon
whose every movement was graceful, and
plainly shaWeda yastamount OF reserved
power.
Even while IN gIllop, his neck slightly
curved, and his proud figure displayed
against The smooth sward, his extreme
beauty csdled forth from me involuntary
expressions oi admiration. 1t was obvious
this rider could oyertake the elk whenever
be ehpse 70 dos 50. His horse was still in
), gentle gallon, and, although the others
we're DONG then utmost, he easily kept
abreast ii tAaa His rider was a tail
young man, Of a peculiar athletic build,
and very handsome. He was dressed
after lie Aexieaa t,.shions That .7he was
a true hGntsr was obvious, apd bis blue
eyes flashed, aud his whole bearing was
that Of one who keenly enjoys the chase
The other two were naddle-sized men, in
the prime ct vigorous. manhood and
their dress, MANNERS and appearance he
spoke sl,1hi men nffhe west.
The elk was heading almost directly to-
wards PIC, end IN STEW minutes he biSscd
me al lirh,uiue speed, with head erect,
and his wide Spreading antler, laying back
almost against bis hannches At thi,
iuncuHrei sprang to saddle and ,ioiael in
the chase. AS Soon as | was within
speaking distMNe, was accosted with
the following words: 1luilo, Cap want
TO heirfEtkthat buck f1 s'Y es. | an
swere5, Il would like 10 be in al the |
DEATH .FAlI right, follow on We !
want &c drive him down to the river, so
whaH J &c handler TO get to the hacien-
da fer We expect the Christiana up The /,
river to-day with load Of supplies for |
the ranch And We could PIT him right I
aboard. Ny attention was now drawn to
the etPar- h 1geeu,a .. who had been riding
soine - = IS offf' to Che right. He ZOOS
aasd s .S,vesp on the birdie rein, and
oonfmAnasi p-ettiHr his RATA ready for
cast Is soon rs the horse felt the rein
slack, BE sprang forward at double his
former pace 4 f3w Of those gigantic
bounds ana hs had left the dogs in the
dogs Ia the roar, and was close upon the