The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-05-22
PETE f,
Myrtle, the Mad Maid
Of the Mines.
By LIEUT.. VICTOR o. ENDAL.
CHAPTER |.
THE MOUNTAIN DUEL.

The MOUNTAIN DUEL
It's men you fur it now, pard."
Yes, and the sooner the affair is over the
better it viii suit me-"
The last speaker was rather slender
looking youth, with mild blue ewes and
blonde hair and mustache, the former
sweeping down in long, golden curls to his
shoulders. He was somewhat feminine in
appearance, and the huge bearded noun
taineer who confronted him grinned with
evident satisfaction at the thought of the easy
manner in which he would cut the young
tenderfoot to pieces. Frisco Matt was a
hard man, and had never vet been worsted
in battle single handed.
Now he drew his huge thumb along the
keen edge of his bowie, and grinned as he
said:
"Keen's briar-it'u make a slick Job. -
"Haye done with this nonsense" cried
the girlish youth, who had also drawn a
narrow, keen edged bowie; Il met you here
to fight, not to talk, Frisco Matt.
"Egad! but you're GROWER" sneered the
giant tough. You seem ter know the
handle | wear. Mebbe now yer wouldn't
mind givin' me yourn so't | cud send it to
yer friends arter the works done"
1T matters not" answered the Young
man. Il shall kill you at the first round,
and the yultures of Montana will find a
meal before another hour passes. Are you
ready?"
"Hoh!"
Frisco Matt elected a huge stream of red
spittle against stone, as he glared disdain-
fully at his slender antagonist.
The golden haired youth raised his
knife.
Il will not waste more time, yet for all |
am not disposed to shed your blood, Frisco
Matt. On one condition l will spare your
life"
"Egad! is that 50? Mighty eonsiderate
all to onct. Wal, wot's ther condition."
Frisco Matt glared at his enemy as though
be would consume or brighten him with the
fire of his murky eyes.
THE condition IS that you make ample
apology to Nettie Harver and her mother
for the insults you offered them yesterday.
Had l been there at the time l would have
killed YOU III your tracks. Time has soft
ened my resentment, and | leave you this
one avenue of escape; will you take it,"
"No!'
In thunder,us roar the monosyllable
fell from the lips of Frisco Matt. Then he
advanced a step and brandished his knife
before the face of his slender antagonist
This was a challenge to combat, one that
the golden haired youth did not fail to accept.
Without speaking he Strengthened his arm,
and fire leaped from the two blades as they
crossed in the waning sunlight.
1t was scene calculated to stir the most
sluggish blood. There on a mountain
plateau, with the everlasting hills and rocks
towering up on every hand, stood two men
engaged in mortal combat. The contrast in
the two was wonderful.
One almost a giant IN size, with broad
chest, brawny arms, shaggy head, long and
unkempt hair, very Hercules in appear
ance; the other of only medium height,
slender frame and delicate complexion;
golden curis, like woman's, floating in the
breeze as he tossed aside his sombrero.
and faced with flashing eyes the giant
bravo before him.
The contrast was painful.
Surely this slender youth would prove no
match for the giant tough, with his strong
arm and huge bowie blade.
Clangl Clang! Clang!
The ring of the steel blades echoed far
and wide. A scowl of vindictive hate
wrinkled the features of the Montana tough.
while the face of his antagonist, though ex-
tremely pale, exhibited no feeling. 1t was
TO be battle to the DEATH fact that both
men realized, and there was no abatement
of the struggle after the first blow was
struck.
Frisco Matt was aStonished at the cool
ness and science of his slender foe. He
expected to cut down the presuming youth
at the second stroke at least, but now a
score of blows and thrusts had been given.
and not one of them touched the flesh of
the golden haired youth.
Santisimdr Kissed Frisco Matt, be-
coming enraged at the cool parrying of his
antagonist.
Not word from the lips of his slender
foe.
"Ha"
Frisco Matt reeled back with a cry of
rage and pain. The point of his enemy's
blade pierced his arm and passed entirely
through. 1t was the giants right arm and
the stroke disabled it.
With quick movement, as the yellow
haired youth drew forth his dripping blade.
Frisco Matt passed his bowie to the palm
of his left hand. Although the movement
was a quick one, it was not as rapid as the
one made by the slender youth confronting
the mountain giant
Frisco Matt felt slight wrench at his
wrist, his fingers tingled, and the next mo-
ment his huge bowie went flying through
the air, disappearing over the edge of the
cliff, lost forever to the Montana giant
Frisco Matt stood unarmed before his
slender antagonist,
A gurglIng cry oozed from the lips of the
huge giant. He reeled back a pace and
thrust his left hand into the top of his
boot. When 1t came forth a revolver cleaned
in the thick fingers.
Although the movement was a quick one
II was not soon enough to save the doomed
tough. keen blade flashed in the eyes of
Frisco Matt, and his revolver went flying
IN pursuit OF the huge bowie. He was now
utterly at the mercy of the golden haired
mountain boy.
i am the better man, Frisco Matt, said
the youth IN cutting tone. Il meant to
kill you, and | Will keep my word"
Blood flowed freely from the cut in the
toughs arm, and he felt strangely weak
and dizny. With a gasping cry he started
back from the cleaning blade of his foe
caught his heel against a projecting stone
and fell heavily TO the ground. Instantly
the slender youth bent over the fallen man
pressing his knee upon his breast
Mercy. gurgled the fallen man There
was tflnty look in the blue ewes of the
victor, and the compressed lips did not re-
lax.
Mercy to such as you. Frisco Matt.
would be cruelty TO innocent people Your
hands are red with the blood of honest
Montana settlers, and I shall not spare
your life"
There was Wild look IN the murkv orbs
of Frisco Matt when he eazed into the
glrlish face of the man who had so easily
vanquished him. He was undoubtedly
astenished at what had occurred. as we'll as
frightened at the doom awaiting him.
Ter won't spar me- | war a fool to ask
1t. But Jest tell me who you are afore YOU
send me across the range. l never seed a
coyote IN these hills as could warp Frisco
Matt vi Their bowie till | met you. Yer
must had help from the evil one.