The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1878-09-04

Washoe Pete was generally considered
"bluffer" by the critics of Bodie, and his
wild exaggerations were subject of merri-
ment only in that "high old town" He was
allowed to swagger and boast to his hearts
content, aud even when he drew his nobby
whistler and shot the light out of all the
lamps in Ryans saloon, the action only evok-
ed a grin and the doubtful compliment that it
was "purty fair shootin', and nigh as stiddy
narve as Irish Tom showed when he popped
away at that bad man from Deadwood"
One day last Summer Pete walked into
Strobridges saloon with the remark that he
had "heered the Last Chance was goin' TO be
sold, and that they've sent up an expert to
look into it,
The expert, pale, small man, dressed in
dusty gray was standing at the bar, and look
ed around as the tall, would be-ruflian utter
ed The words.
"That's SO, Pete" said one of the men
present, San that's the expert" pointing to
the small one.
"You're an expert eh?" shouted Pete,
cycling the man menacingly "you're one o
them fellers as allows he knows payin' mines,
arc YEP" Then, after a pause, during which
he surveyed the stranger from head to foot
We'll, ye're the wust l ever saw. Experts
is bad enough, but you're the slnkiest, mean
est, wust coot to set yourself up to report on
a mine | ever laid eyes on"
81 don't want to quarrel with you, sir an
swered the expert.
eyed better net, young feller ye'd better
not. I'm whirlwind of the desert in a fight,
and don't we forget it."
''I'm man of peace I carry no weapons,
and, of course, could not hope to stand be-
fore even a zephyr of the desert, let alone a
wild untamed whirlwind."
These deprecatory words only incensed the
"bad man " still more, and feeling that he
had a soft thing" proposed in his own mind
to play it for all it was worth, and gain Z" re-
cord y by whipping his man.
''Look heyar, stranger, | don't want no
destinations. Do look like zephyr? Say p"
Here Washoe Pete shook his fist in the ex-
pert's face. "What dye mean by talkin'
about zephyrs I'm a tornado. l tear
when turn loose Zephyr (sneering) why,
I've a mind to -
"Please, mighty whirlwind resstless tor
nado, don't hit me. You wouldn't strike a
consumptive man would you? {"
Wouldn't 1 !" yelled the "fghter in a
terrible voice, 'wouldnt I'd strike the
side of mountain ~
"But sick man." pleaded the expert, ga
man dying of consumption, an orphan, a
stranger, and man of peace -
"What're yer giving me? Do you know
who amp" fiercely demanded the wbirl-
wind
You're gentleman known in Bodie as
Washoe Pete-at least I've heard you desig-
mated by that familiar appellation during my
soiourn here" answered the expert, moving
off,
"What else am ?" shrieked the rough,
striding toward the covering export.
GA gentleman, l suppose. Honestly, ]
don't know your other namc."
"Wel, I'll tell you who l am" and the
tall man stood over the shrinking stranger, as
if about to topple upon him and annihiate
him. "I'm bad I'm chief in this yer camp,
and can lick the man says amt. Pm rag
ing lion of the plains, an every time | hit
kill. I've got an arm like a quartz stamp,
an crush when go for man. / weigh a
ton, an earthquakes amt nowhere when |
drop"
"But I've only Just been discharged from
a hospital" replied the expert.
s'I'll send ye back agin " and the stalwart
"bluffera caught the little man by the collar
| and hurled him upon the floor.
"It's unkind to use poor, weak, suffering
invalid in that way" expostulated the expert
as he slowly arose from the floor. Please
don't joke SO roughly. Let's take drink and
call it square. am very sorry that l have
offended you.''
Ye think am joking, do ye--ye take me
for josh, do ye? I'll show ye what ! an
afore git through with ye. Ye don't PLAY
me fur no tender foot. Pm native am