The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-17
A Desperate Duel.
fSan Francisco Golden Era. |

@$'S'l
Rap! rap! rap!
| shook off the slumber that
rested heavily upon me and listened. |
could hear nothing only the sound of
milk wagons and butcher carts in the
street and the heavy tramp of some late
traveller on the wooden sidewalk beneath.
dozed off to sleep again.
Rap. rap! rap!
Some one below at the Office door, sure
ly. opened the small window at the
head of my bed and looked down into the
street. A burly form stood at the office
door, leaning with one hand against the
casing.
"Who's therew l demanded.
"Git up an gi' me a 'orse!" said a
thick, inebriate voice.
"What do you want with horse, Null
ligan%' l asked.
Coin ter-hic-Hunters Pint; sum
fun thar. Git up! | wan a 'orse."
"The old score is too long, Billy. Can't
do it,"
1Cant do it, eh? Yer inserlent, young
man."
'It's no use Mulligan. You owe a
large bill now, with no prospect of pay
ing it. You'd better leave; Pm going to
sleep" and | closed the window.
"You'll-hic-hear from me in the
mornin, young man." he threatened;
and Billy Mulligan, the desperate,
reeled away down the street.
/ dropped to sleep again. Rap! rap
rap! | sprang to my feet. 1t is morning
thought /, and the hostler is at the door.
Again l opened the window and looked
down. | saw at glance it wasn't the
hostler.
"Who's there%'
I-Garland. Get up, Moulton, and
saddle two horses quick! There's duel
coming off at Hunters Point this morn
ing at sunrise. We've just time to reach
there"
I hastily dressed, descended from the
loft and admitted my friend. In two
minutes the horses were saddled. l
awoke the hostler directed him to look
after the stable, and in five minutes more
we went dashing down Kearney street
on our way to the Point.
"What time is it, Garlandw
"Three o'clock. The road is heavy
and the mud fearful at Islais Creek.
We have barely time to reach there with
good luck"
"Who are to fghtW
1.-TWO gamblers. They quarreled at
the Eldorado last night over faro
game"
"You know themW
"No."
A cold fog swept in over the Mission
Hills. The darkness was deep, scarcely
permitting us to make out the road
Nevertheless, we dashed recklessly along,
out Brannon street and over the San
Bruno road. 1t was scarcely day break
when we arrived at the Point, our horses
quite blown and covered with mud and
foam. Not soul was on the ground
A cold mist hung over the bay, and now
and then drizzling shower came sweep,
ing from the hills. We tied our horses
to stunted oak and walked along the
sand ten minutes, perhaps, in one
direction, and then returned. There
had been, meantime, another arrival
A tall form, in a heavy storm-cloak, was
pacing solemnly back and forth on the
sands. His head was bent low, his eyes
upon the ground. He seemed entirely
oblivious to everything about him. He
took no notice of our presence, but kept
up his slow, measured march, to and fro
between jagged rock and piece o.
driftwood which lay half-buried in the
sand.
A half hour passed in the coAd fog, driz
zling mist and semi-darkness Our horse
champed their bits impatiently and oc
casionally neighed their unrest. Garlant
and | strobe back and forth on the beach
looked at our watches every three min
utes and wondered if the duelists wer
ever to arrive.
1t grew lighter at last, and as the SUI
rising in the distant mountains nearl
succeeded in breaking through the heav.
fog, close carriage came dashing alon
the muddy road, followed by half-a-doze
men on horseback. The driver drew u
his horses at the tree, sprang to tn
ground and threw open the carriage
Three men alighted; one was a medium
sized man, with sandy hair and beart
and with the most villainous face ha
, ever looked upon. He commenced
shambling walk ON the beach, his hanc
i thrust into his pockets, and his hs
tipped back from his forehead. The o
, cupants of the carriage l judged to |
E his second and surgeon. They CO.
suited together moment, when IL
second approached me and demanded
l. either of us was the "friend of the 9th
party" pointing to the tall figure WI
II still kept up his solemn march.
It We assured him were totally urknov
a a to him, having come here merely as spe
e tators to witness the duel. He then a
a Yanced to the tall figure in the cloak Al