Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-29
FAIR PLAY.
Sile Curtis was Bound to Have 1t II 1t
Took Leg.
From tho Detroit Free Press.

From tho Detroit Free Press.
"Git upr'
1t was in 1854 down in front of Grants
army, and ! was a mile or so outside of the
Union picKets, having been on a scout. In
making my way back had been followed
pretty closely by half dozen COnfederates'
and had eluded them by hiding IN thicket
After an hours rest ] was creeping along on
hands and knees toward the nearest field
fence, when the above command reached my
ears, and ''reb" stepped in view from be-
hind large tree.
"Yank, in course?" he queried, as he looked
me over, holding his carbine ready for shot.
nodded in h Affirmative.
How are you heeled"
had a navy revolver IN my Delt' ana
showed il to him
He threw down his carbine. drew navy
from his own belt, and, coming quite close ne
said
'.Yank, one Of us has got to diel a week
ago some of YOU 'uns set the cabin ahre and
turned my poor old mother out into the helds
to take sick and die. ! swore on her grave
that would kill the fust Gank could draW
draw bead on, and you're my meat!
Are you going to shoot down prisoner IN
cold blood?"
That amt Silas Curtis--not much! It's
ten PAGES --one-two-thr You shall
have fair play.N
You mean we shall fight duelT'
'Sorter one. / expect you'll shoot at me
anu miss. ana II S0OoL AZ You anu puA a jail
into your head. I'm no bushwhacker 10 shoot
a man down without a show, but Pm dead
certain to kill YOU all the same.
We backed away from each other. Inc
woods were fairly open, and when we had
thirty feet between us there was no obstruc-
ton to defect bullet or annoy the eye.
IAN ready, Yank?"
Yes
I'm be fair. You may do the counting.
! Good by to you, for IN dead shot -
One-two-three-firew
The two pistols made one report, but as the
noise filed my ears I went down. | was be-
wildered, half unconscious, but realized that
l was hurt.
"ShOo, now. but just raked his scalpw
heard the man say as he bent over me. SAY,
Iank, we must have another shot. Gou cut
powerful close to my ear, and mebbe lodged
4 bit. Come. fair play, ye know"
l tried to rise upi but fell back, and at that
moment two bushwhackers pushed out OF the
woods and came running up. heard loud
talking, Oaths, threats, and bullet from a
pistol tore through the cloth on my shoulder.
Then must have tainted. for the next thing
| remember was of being carried on the
mans back through the woods. When he
felt me moving he laid me down and asked:
"Say, ank how fur is 1t to your llnes|
About a mile from where we fought"
Straight north?"
YES
because those bushwackers was bent on
killing you, and to see fair play, l had to
plant 'em both. Reckon l hain't no more
| business in the COufederacy after this
! Reckon Uncle Sam won't be any wuss on me
nor Jeff Davis. Yank, kin ye hang to my
! neck?"
Eyes"
IAN right Keep this ERE handkerchief sor.
ter waving as a signal to the pickets, and I'll
! carry We safe as an ambulance"
And clinging to the back of the man who
| had .thrsted for nv blood. was soon inside
the lines, and Sam was explaining to the
| pickets:
mo, l hain't no deserter. Pve been sorteI
driven in here because Sile Curtis will see
| fair play if it takes a leg.'