The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1874-01-08

with than Laval, was Habakuk Sans, by
origin Yankee, as his name denotes, but
a 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 com
plexion, and.very light hair. He was an
excellent marksman, and had a reputation
for courage, shown in encounters with In
dians and bears; but he always preferred
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, was an
objectionable offense. Men caught in the
act have frequently been killed on the
spot, and when the offender was an lndi-
an there are traditions of his having been
tortured before being put to death
Whether Hab Sans had ever defrauded
Laval by purloining fur creatures from the
traps set by the latter never transpired.-
But that Laval was fur thief was estab-
lished beyond 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 honesty of his rival. Hab's
first idea was to fire upon the purloner
of his property, and so adjust the matter
without any need of further reference or
appeal. On further consideration, how
ever, he approached Laval, and: taxing
him with the theft, demanded restitution
of his property, or 'reason why" "Take
that, then" howled the huge fellow, hurl
ing the wolf with such force at Hab that
It knocked him down and sent him spin
ming q distance of several feet. In mo-
ment Hab Sans had risen or one knee,
and, taking aim, at his antagonist fired,
but without effect, owing to the furry
caused by the suddenness of the assault
On proceeding to reload his rife, he re-
membered that he had no powder; but
Laval was in similar predica@eI., for all
the powder in the place had been expend-
ed in recent hunt, and they were wait
the arrival Of messenger from the nearest
trading post Drawing their knives, the
two approached each other for deadly
conflict, which would have been an une.
quail one, however, owing to the superior
strength of Laval who was also a prof
cient in the use Of tho knife. Knowing
how slight his chance was with such an
antagonist, Hab Sans paused, and looking
fxedly at Laval, said, "If you arc a man,
and not cowardly sneak, You will fight it
out with me another way, and give me an
equal chance of my life." "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 then" rejoined Hab,
"hercs what well do, if you have heart |
enough to do it, as 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 shoulder, and wait to see which of
us will die first. You're too white-livered
a fellow to fight it out that way with me,
ch?" Fearful to back out from this horr.
bic proposition lest his reputation for val
or might become tarnished forever, Laval
agreed to it, trusting that if one only
keeps still, rattlesnakes are not apt to bite
The matter was arranged as follows
They were to meet next morning: half an
hour before sunrise, with ono witness, who
was to act as umpire for both. The bur-
rows in which they were to place their
hands were to be selected by this umpire,
who was to see them properly and impair
TALLY placed. There they were to remain
until the first ray of the sun beamed above
the horizon, few minutes before which
it is the habit of rattlesnakes to crawl
forth from thoir dens. The umpire was
to notify them of the rise of the sun, at
which moment they were to be free to 60
their ways, should they escape the fangs
of the venemous reptiles. The honor Of
both was then to be considered as fully
satisfied, and from this there was be no
appeal. 1t must have been a terrible time,
that quarter Of an hour before sunrise, to
the victims of the etiquette with which
the ducllo ever has been rendered roman
tic. Perhaps Hab Sans did not feel it