New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-07-27
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY, JULY 27, 1878

talk in quiet" at the same time pushing
open the door Of a email room close at
hand, which, after we had entered and he
had offered me chair, he proceeded 70
close and fasten.
Anderson is here" he resumed. after
seating himself on an old saddle which
had been fixed up to serve as q seat u
have tracked him all the way from Abilene,
where Hudson has just driven big herd OF
beeves. Old boy, l shall kill Hugh Ander-
son to-day. him." ne exclaimed, start
ing from his seat. with clenched hands and
| eyes blazing with fury, C. him, I've got
him now, and by I'll give him what he
gave Mike"
when, Arthur, and how will You &c i: %
interrupted, fearing lest his voice. which
in his excitement had risen to high pitch.
should be heard thu ough the window, which
still remained open. Look out for him.
He is a hard man to get the drop on. He
caught Mike, you know" q will here re-
mark to more fully explain the situation
that the latter was my companion 3 brother.
and was one of Anderson's victims q: :he
dance house,
II don't want to drop on him." replied
ME- Cluskey.. I'll give, him an equal show;
I'll fight him fair and square with pistol
and knife, But want a good man to back
me up, and see fair play. Who can ge.i'
At a loss to recommend any one among
those at the Lodge, for, according 20 his
own account, lie was stranger TO every
one but myself suggested that in lien of a
better he take his guide, Texas herder Of
considerable experience, instead Of selecting
perfect stranger, who, though he might be
willing'tO serve, could hardly be expected
to take more than a casual interest in his
principal. And to this arrangement he
finally consented, and set out in search of
his second. The guide, who, had it been his
own affair, would probably have settled it
by quietly shooting his enemy through the
back in true desperate fashion, raised his
eyes IN establishment as l briefly narrated
the case, and told him for what he was
wanted; but he showed 10 unwillingress to
take the part assigned him, and shortly
afterward was closeted with McCluskey.
Meanwhile, anxious to witness the progress
of events, l strolled into the gambling
room, and taking position where / could
easily observe everything that TRANSFERRED,
quietly awaited the delivery Of the hostile
message. had not long to wait. In few
moments Richards, the guide, entered, and
striding up to where Anderson was dealing
the cards, bent over him and whispered in
his ear. The players, accustomed to inter
ruptiOns, az first paid NO attention to the de-
lay, and betook themselves, some to CONVEX
satiOn and others to re-arranging their
stakes, but it soon became apparent that
subject of more than ordinary interest was
under discussion. The face Of Anderson,
usually set and immobile, passed frs to an
expression OF blank establishment. then to
look of dsmay, and finally exhibited unmis-
taxable signs of fear. Rising quickly from
troll. and briefly announced to the crowd
that the game for the present was closed.
Then drawing his revolver, he passed
quickly through the players, who by this
time had crowded close around him, and
attended by Richards entered the store
where Harding, surrounded by throng of
Osages, was driving close bargains in furs
and robes.
As briefly as possible Harding was made
acquainted with the state of affairs, and his
services procured in behalf of Anderson.
The utmost excitement now prevailed.
The desire to witness the duel, the cause of
which had already been bruited about,
seized upon one and all alike, and some Of
the hunters, thinking that their compa-
mons, who were out little way from the
camp herding their stock. might feel dis
appointed at not witnessing the affair,
mounted their horses and rode out to ap-
prise them of what was going on, so that in
less than an hour after the passage OF the
challenge at least seventy spectators had
gathered at the appointed spot.
Meanwhile the two principals had retired
apart with their seconds to prepare them
selves and their weapons. By the terms
agreed upon between Richards and Harding
the antagonists we're to fight with revOlvers
and bowie knives-to be placed back to
back at an interval Of twenty paces-to
wheel and fire at q given signal, and after
the first interchange of shots to conduct
the fight as each one should deem it best to
his advantage.
McCluskey had recovered his equanimity
Immediately on receiving the notification
of the acceptance OF his challenge. As he
emerged from the house, where he had
made his brief stay, he looked picture of
manly strength and vigor. A tight-fitting
buckskin shirt and leggings, tastefully EN-
broidered, set off his robust form to great
advantage, and it was apparent to all that,
in the event of close encounter, he
would prove a terrible antagonist to his
rival. His revolver, OF Colts make. he
carried in his right hand, while his bowie.
encased in sheath of Unframed deerskin,
rested on his left hip, within easy reach.
Accompanied by Richards, who had simply
thrown off his coat and placed an extra re-
volver in his belt, he proceed quickly to the
rough salutatiOns addressed him by the
crowd, but repelling courteousIy the adj
vances Of a few of the more curious who
wished to learn from his own lips the his
tory OF the present trouble. The spot
selected for the encounter was in the open
prairie few yards distant from the larger
of the two storehouses. The grass had
been closely cropped by the cattle, leaving
the turf firm, yet elastic, and just the thing
for rough and tumble business His antag-
Onist not yet having made his appearance.
cCluskey seated himself on the grass and
conversed earnestly with his second. His
face during the last few moments had paled
to an almost marble whitenes. and wore
a look of such intense hate and ferocity
that was glad to turn away and direct
my attention to what was taking place |
among the crowd of spectators. Here the |
utmost levity prevailed, bets being freely |
staked on the result of the fight-some |
favoring McCluskey on account Of his supe-
rior physique, and Others asserting that |
Anderson would drop him in the fret three !
shots. One noisy fellow, whom had no.
ticed the night before quit the gaming |
table heavy winner. approached the |
chief of our party with a roll of green. |
backs in his hand and offered to bet odds |
Of $1,000 to $500 that Anderson held out the !
longest; but being given to understand |
hat betting on the result of duel was |
not tavorite habit with that gentleman.
ne beat hasty retreat, and l shortly saw
him in search Of . more beral minded
customer.
While thus engaged in taking notes Of
y hat was passing in the crowd cry Of
Here comes Anderson with the old man,
.aused every one to turn in the direction of