The Placer herald., 1873-11-29

that plain enough, reb, responded Herring;
''and at the same it amt to be denied that
you've got broad shoulders, and that your
arms be powerful long
"Ihey can squeeze as tight as any bear.
Yank, " answered the Catamount, showing
his teeth, "and the further you keep away
from me the better" he added, as Herring
made a step toward him.
lyon needen't he afraid; l won't hurt
you, seeing as there's no way that can, "
replied the corporal, "and-
81 amt afraid of being hurt" Interrupted
the rebel; "I've been in too many skrim-
images for that"
"lt doesn't strike me that you are very
brave, though for all your skrmmaging, +"
retorted the corporal 81 don't think |
could be afraid of you under any circum.
stances"
The Catamount smiled grimly.
"lll tell you what Ill do with you" said
he; 'msiead of taking any advantage Of
you, I'll throw down this ere rife, and we'll
have tussel between ourselves-that is,
wrastle. If you win, I'm your prisoner
if | win, you are mine. But before we
commence, you must promise me you won't
sing out to any of the other Yanks to come
and help YOU
"That's an insult, reb-a downright in
suit, repli' Herring. "D'ye suppose I'd
call for Others to assist me agn one man
No indeed, my lad come from Indiana,
and them that's from that place amt afraid
of any rebel that ever walked in shoe leath-
er So you"
"Thatll do" interrupted the Catamount
'There's mighty little use, reckon, in our
wasting words in this kind of a way. If
You are for fair stand up wraste, say the
word, and it's settled"
''The bargain is made, them" answered
Herring; "but l may til you before we
begin, that I'm reckoned some at wrastle
as well as you.
The rebel threw down his rifle, and the
two men advanced and "grappIed
Catamount, by way of showing the wonder
full strength Of his arms, giving his adver-
sary a squeeze that made him gasp for
breath.
"That's premontorcal, said be, "and
You can guess what's to follow! You are
at liberty to back out if you want to-lm
perfectly wln."
"When | want to III do it," coolly re-
piled Herring, suddenly giving the rebel a
bearlike hug that almost deprived i'm OF
his breath. "You see | amt backward in
returning your friendly embrace! l don't
think there is gal living that ever got sicb
a hug as thal!" m..ai
GAY, alb! III give you the credit you
N,,,l =, I
with the man that could give sch right
powerful squeeze as that of your'n.
"Thank ye for the compliment" returned
Herring a. land now well see what we can
do on a fling"
So saying he exerted himself to hurl bis
antagonist to the ground. But the rebel
main aimed lis balance like rock. Every
effort to throw him off his guard by "sci-
entifc maneuvers" was also made in vain
The Catamount was always prepared.
''Its no use, Yank, he cried, at length;
"you are was ing your strength for nothing.
And now III just show you a little trick
that learned in the Rocky Mountains, and
if it kills you, as | reckon it will, it's your
own fault.
So saying, he suddenly gave bis antag-
onist backward push, and the seizing bin
hv the middle with one hand, caught hold
of his shirt collar with the other, and
whirled him sideways with force that de-
prved him OF his balance. But Herring
was as supple as he was strong, and by a
sudden twist of his body he contrived to
regain good footing before the Catamount
could hurl him to the earth.
"Bars ard hoe cakes!'' exclaimd the rebel /;
CHATS tie first time that ever that little
trick failed me, and am glad to see that
haint got any fool to deal with,
and"
Before he could conclude, his adversary,
by skilf,l movement, contiived 10 hur
him back ward, so that for an instant his
huge frame was supported only by his
heels. But before the Federal soldier could
take advantage of this circumstance, his
foe recovered his balance. The two men,
each with his arms clasping the other, stood
perfectly moiionless, .he glapces of their
eyes meeting in steady gaze, until the
Catamount suddenly tried the same ma.
neuver which had previously been so nearly
successful This time Herring was unable
TO recover his balance, and down he went
With tremendous force, though contriving
to drag his adversary after him. Both men
fell upon the rebels long rAe-the head Of
the Catamount striking the ground close to
the muzzle of the piece.
The heavy body of the Federal soldier
coming in contact with the hammer of tie
gun, caused it to descend upon the nipple
which was capped, and as natural conse-
quence the weapon was discharged. Her
ring sprang TO hi' feet. and cry Of horror
escaped him as he gazed upon his lrostrate
zoe. The bullet Of the rife had shattered
tle Catamounts temple; his brains were
scattered around upon the grass. For
few moments bis limbs twitch convulsively;
his eyes bulging from their sockets. were
fixed with strange glare upon the specta-