The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1873-01-30
Duel to the Death.

wonder Wnen ne'll come again
Duel to the Death.
It was early in the month of May,
1856, that was standing in the shade
of q monster oak tree, in the noblest
of CalifoEnia's nObl5 valleys the great
San Joaquin, enjoying its refreshing
shade after q toilsOme jOurneO OF some
thirty miles, over an arid plain, and
under a broiling sun. I had turned
nv horse loose, to crop some of the
luxuriant filagree which covered the
plain for miles around, and caused it
70 look like q well kept lawn. The
plain was covered with animated be-
ings. There were lowing herds OF
half wild cattle, and drOves Of wild
horses, antelope and elk, in the hazy
distance. There was s caballada OF
wild horses, and herd Of stately elk
at a short distance from me, feeding
by the side Of q placid lake, in fancied
security. The lake was CHARACTERISTIC
of CaIifornia, which II so rich in all
that Is novel and beautiful and over
its broad bosom myriads Of wild wa
ter fowl were scattered in the greatest
profusion. There was flock ofstste-
fy swans, sailing to and fro like
miniature feet, and there were geese
and ducks Of many species and va
Fious gRudy hueS, mingling together
in seeming peace and friendship and
on the banks there were herons, cranes
and other water fowl, supporting
themselves on one leg, while tine 9TH
er was drawn up quite out OF sight,
under their long grey plumage, ana
their uecks were drawn lnI until only
their heads were visible. They had
gorged themselves on the fish which
swsrmed in the lake, and were now
doing until next meal time.
And there are flocks Of large grey
birds, nearly as tall as hamingoes.
stalking along the margin Of the lake,
like sentries on picket. There are the
gruya, the wild turkey Of the Hlspano
American, and they abound In North
Mexico and California. And high up
in the air, the eagle scared and
screamed, and occasionally darted
down to the surface of the lake after
duck, or mayhap one OF the nnny
tribe, and If successful, bore It on 10
his home in yonder blasted oak tree
in whose top-most branches you OBJ
serve a great mass Of dead wood.
I stood gazing around me Tor ieW
moments on this lonely scene, and
then at the surrounding country.
remained leaning against a tree, lost
in dreamy reyerie, when all at once L
was aroused by the deep baying OF q
hound, faint and far of, yet clear and
distinct. I started up, and looked
around TO see whence came the sound
could see nothing but the horses and
elk which were bounding away
over the prairie my horse came
whinnying up to me in alarm,
the gruyas had taken to wing, the
eagle had ceased his screaming,
and even the listless stOrks had
! aroused themselves to 8 listening atti-
tudo. I hear the bay again, 1t comes
| from the north. / cast my eyes over
/ the plain q second time. l see NOV
| ing figures there, dimly outlined
4 against the distant horizon there are
horsemen-three of them-in pursuit
Of something about as large as an OK,
and it is running this way. The bay
ing of the hounds grew louder as
they eyapproached, until they themselves
came into view. I hurriedly mount
nv horse, which Is standing at my
side, and then wait to see the issue Of
the chase. TIE animal approaches
large elk-and close behind the three
horsemen ride in in eager pursuit
Two of them are armed with revolveri
while the third carries coiled up In his
hand long RATA. They are all ad
mirably mounted, the first two or
large BAYS, while he of RATA bestridel
large iron gray Arab, of superb car
risge, with long full tail, pointed a
the end and carried like the brush o
Of running fox. A splendid anima
to look upon, whose every movement
was graceful, and plainly showed
vast amount Of reserved power,
Even while in a gallOp, his neel
slightly curved, and his proud fgurl
displayed against the smooth sward
his extreme beauty called forth from
me involuntary expressions Of admir-
alton. 1t was obvious this rider coulC
oEertake the elk whenever he chOs
to do so. His horse was still in
gentle gallop, and, although tn
others were doing their utmost, b
! easily kept abreast Of them. His ri
der was tall young man, of a peculia
athletic build, and very handsome
He was dressed after Mexican fashion
That he was q true hunter was oh
vious, and his blue eyes flashed, an
his whole bearing was that Of one VIII
keenly enjoys the chae. The othe
two were middle-siZed men, in tn
prime Of vigorous manhood in thei
dress, manners and appearance be
smoke them men Of the west
The elk was heading almost directl
towards me, and in a few minutes b
passed me at q lightning speed, wit
hsrd erect, and his wide spreadin
antlers laying bacK almost agains
his launches, At this juncture
sprang to my saddle and joined in th
chase. As soon as 1 was within speak
ing distance, was accosted with th
following words: "Hullo, Cap! war
70 help catch this buck ?" "Yes,"
answered, 81 would like to be in 6
the DEATH" ''All right, follow OF
We want to drive him down to tb
river, so 1t would be handler to get
tbs hancienda; for we expect th
Christiana up the river to-day with
load of supplies for the ranch" NJ
attention was now drawn to the othe
horseman, who had been riding som
few PAGES of to the right. He loo
his grasp on the bride rein, and con
menced getting his RATA ready for
. cast. As soon as the horse felt Ii
rein slack, he sprang forward at doub
his former pace. A few Of those 6
gantic bounds and he had left the dos
in the rear, and was close upon II
now doubly frightened buck, whiC
was striving in vain to hold its owl
He Of the RATA, whose name, I vi
told by one Of the hor5emen, was iii
3 GruWeI, now dropped the rein, ar
hung loose on Charles shoulder, {
whirled the RATA around his head DIT
psratoRy 70 launching it upon u
horns Of the quarry for a momen
the rope left his hand, and hoVeriI
over the head Of the buck settled dOE
upon his horns. As soon as the hor
saw the success ofthe cast, he turn
suddenly to the left, stopped shol
brsced himself for the coming jer
The elk, more terrified than ever
feeling the rope on his horns, "
bounding down q slight deciivity at
terrible pace, but as he was in t
midst Of one Of his gigantic leaps, Il
rope tightened, an0 he was thrown
le complete somersault and left sprav
u ing on the sward, while the hoI
never stirred from his track. Befo
the animal could regain bis feet {
&Ogs were upon him, but they We
commanded to keep OF, and the pr
trate buck was allowed 70 get up, a
with q peculiar snort, and with
stamp thst made all the joints Of
tponderous leg crack, the elk lower
his bristling antlers and went for iii
q This was Just what was wanted
him. GruWen spurred his horse
ward the river, and the elk follow