The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1875-12-16

mon resort at night for almost every
body in camp. It was q place visited
as little as possible, for its greasy deck
of cards, its wrangling noisy game of
'sseven-up," its c0mmingled odor of
whisky, tobacco, pork, and Goldfish, and
its rough loungers perched on boxes and
baryels dimly seen at night in the dark
corners by the uncertain light of a
smoky lamp-all these had no attrac-
tions for me. I preferred to wander
amid the lonely hills. / heard loud
talking and laughing within the store as
| neared it that evening. l knew what
that meant. Myers and his followers
where there holding jubilee over their
supposed victory.
Got any more fancy mining superin-
tendents to come up from Frisco and
jump Jack Myers claim? I hope they'll
send 'em, for / can chaw em up as fast
as they come along"
These words were being uttered by
the hero of the hour as entered. The
store was full. The usual camp-loung-
ers, my own men, and Myers gang
were fraternizing on the basis of whisky
brotherhood. Myers ordered drinks for
the house every fifteen minutes, and it
was obligatory on all to drink. It was,
however, cross they endured with for
titude and resignation.
My entrance caused sudden silence.
The gradual cessation of noisy CONVEX
sation at last attracted his attention, as
he stood at the bar. He turned, and, on
seeing me, remarked:
Hullo! just in time-just had drinks
all round. Come, put another nail in
your cofin!"
This was spoken directly to me. His
next observations, as he walked up and
down the store, were aimed at me, and
for the general benefit.
"I'm Jack Myers s-free, white, and
twenty-one. I can run alone, I can.
I'm chief here. Is there any other
chief? Is there any other chief in this
house? Is there any body here who
won't drink with Jack MyersP Cum
mings, your whisky's waitin' for you
drinks
81 do not wish to drink" was my re-
ply.
It was dramatic silence then which
reigned in that greasy, grimy store. For
moment the roar Of the Tuolumne as
it rushed and foamed along on its way
to the sea, and the cry of the coyote on
the hill above, were the only sounds
heard.
"Well, now, you shall drink, or I'll
set you on my knee like baby and pour
it down your throat, !" was the sneering
remark.
/ "Jack Myers" said I, "I know
what you want. You want to force q
quarrel on me, SO that you may shoot
me down like dog. You want me to
turn and take water, and run back like
a scared wolf to San Francisco. You
think I'm afraid to fight. I'm not! III
fight you now. Take off your three
men; give me fair show. Come along
with me to the barley-field yonder
where there's no trees and the ground il
level, and I'll fight you, and Wen SET
who's chief.''
| 1 turned to the crowd. "You men
you are Americans. viii you stand BY
and see fair playp am alone here
alone, and, / suppose, friendless
Munse, will you be my secondP'
i EYES," promptly replied Munse.
i .Thank you. Now, Mr.. Myers,
am ready. You are fighting man
and can't refuse such fair invitation
Before we leave the house we will taxi
another drink at my expense. Mr.
Myers, III drink with yen now" And
swallowed the liquor which had beef
prepared for me.
This was q turn in the affairs which
Myers evidently had not expected. I
had been his intention, as was ever hi
custom in such cases, to abuse, taunt
/ revile, possibly to dash the liquor in my
face, and thurst, me from the door
Blindly, as it were, he understood tina
the magnetism of fear, if may so ex
press myself, would not only preven
4 any interference on the part Of others
but would, like succession Of intoxicat
| ing draughts, stimulate him to still
greater fury.
i But my unexpected stand had devel
oped an opposing influence. It came
from the men around me. Il was some
thing mysterious, subtitle, the working
Of one mind on another, the creepin{
forth % it were into the air Of spiri
opposed to british tyranny, the invisi
ble sympathy and respect for . maj
who dared to stand up for himself; 81
this concentrated and fell like sort o
blight, damper on the hitherto irwin
| chile Myers.
i "Well, gentlemen continued
"you will drink with me, will you not
I'm not the chief yet. I'm not going +
try and force you to drink against you