The Mesilla Valley independent. [volume] (Mesilla, N.M.) 1877-1879, 1878-07-13


New Orleans and Vieksbusg, aud liad pub
I.clyN announced his determination to shool
any man who attempted to cncroach upon
his scene 81 operations. OF course this Ief,
him in undisputea possession of the field
and be reaped I golden harvest from il DIR.
ing the one brief yeAr that he conducted Iii.
operations there.
twas nv lot at that time to be compelled
to ulake frequent trips between New orlean.
aad yicks3uEg, being heavily engaged in
cotton specuiatious. Lpreferrcd the steamer
OF WHICH 5turdiysnt had taken possession,
inasmu,h as it vas rot only the most COM
Portable, but also the swiftest, aud tine was
Of importance 10 nc 1t was known that |
carried large sums of money With me, and |
was always apprehensive Hest Sturdiyant
should ask me TO play. ! had fully made
up my mind to refuse him, and If lie
attempted to draw me into a quarrel to shoe.
him without mercy, IS knew that the only
chance for my life lay IN getting the advan-
tage Of him. Strange to say. he did roi
make any such prospos;iion 10 me, and |
gaye him no chance to do 50.
one night we had started ont from Ylcks.
bssg. and were heading n4erriIy down ths
river, when sturd.rant came up 10 tie
sroup-which lad gathered around the stove
He had been drinking, wrd was smoking i
Sne cigar as he approached. All made wa5
for him.
well, gentlemen, : tesai,l in.an unsteady
tone, you seem 70 be terribly dull. WAe
wants to play for $50 sato-,t--
There was no,rePly. All present seemed
to knew the man, ard ne one c4red Il
volunteer to place himself in his clutches.
"Umphr' he exclaimed With an expression
of contempt, "afraid % try your luck aga:ns.
Dan Siurdivant, chi o. maybe you want i
liFle coaxing. Some of you must play witl
me. ] can't stand such treatment. Come
let's see who it will be.''
He glanced around The crowd as if Il
select his victim For ase first time Inotieet
the gaze Of one Of the groap fixed sscadil,
| upOn him. He was Stranger to me, ans
was dressed 10 plain salt Of hOnespun, ans
his face was partially concealed BY . wide
kFimmed somhrero which was drawn over Il
He Was small, but powerful'y-made man
and in the decided expression Of his we'll
shaped hand read an unusual tirmness ans
intensity of purpose.
"Are you Daniel Sturdivsnt, the gamblerl'
he asked IN calm tone, without rising.
sturdisant flushed dafkly and gave th,
stranger a fierce glance.
"sorue persons call me So behind m,
back, ," he said insolently; ebGtao one woult
dare apply that term 70 me before ny
| face"
Nevertheless, " said the stranger, II wan
an answer yes or no.
.;4Keeilll Well then, sa;d thu gambler angrily
Il am. What of iti"
simply this" replied the stranger, q
have heard it said that yen claim to be tn,
best card player in the Southwest. haze
came txo aaadFedl ttFaliiitas tFaiit to prove you
liar.r
S,urdiyant s'rode forward a step or tw,
and thrust his hand into bis breast as If tc
grasp weapon.
stop said the stranger. "if you shoe
me, yoa viii simply prove yourself afraia o
me. Take your seat at the table, and / wil
make my word goodn
| There was something ia tho calp, sterr
manner Of the stranger that seemed TO ren
der the gambler powerlsss. He hesitate,