, 1888-10-07
A RANGE DUEL.
An Affair of Honor Between Two
Cowboys.
The Code is ReIigOusIy Observed
on the Occasion.
One of the Principals Sustained a
Severe Wound.

The only code duel ever fought in Wyo-
ming took place nearly three weeks ago
on on, OF the ranges of the Union Cattle
company, about eighty miles from this
city. The particulars OF the affair are
meagre, but the information is given by a
gentleman whose v%eracity cannot be ques-
toned.
The principals were a round up fore
nan whose only known cognomen is
Boss" and a young range rider called
Bud Boss is described as a tall,
heavy set man of great physical strength,
but too good natured to fight on ordinary
OCCASIONS. Bud is a lad of Is or 20 who
drifted West a couple of years ago and
became a cowboy.
amiability was the cause of the trouble.
The former became unruIy and unbeara.
bly, impudent, forcing the foreman to
exercise his authority and inform Bud
that his connection with the outfit would
end the following day, when a ranch
where he might be given a check for the
balance due for his services would be
reached.
Bud, who is in reality what is termed a
top cowhand" felt that he had been
offered an insult which could only be
effaced with blood. He premeditatedly
set about to force his superior to a battle.
His curses only caused Boss to smile and
thoroughly disguised he finally sat on the
prairie, allowed his horse to Craze at the
end of a RATA and doubtless ransacked his
mind with the hope of devising some
form of insult which would have the effect
of maddening the toremen.
Boss was a faithful employee whose
chief aim had always been to serve we'll
the man to whom he owed his lucrative
position. Buds epithets and threats had
only amused him, but the idleness of a
puncher who was supposed to be working
exasperated him. He informed Bud in
peremptory tones that he must either con-
tinue riding the circle or travel to camp
and surrender his mount. Bud replied
that he would not obey under any consid-
Grafton and dared Boss to dismount and
fight. The %latter's Irish at last asserted
itself and he responded that but for the
desparslty in physique he would admins
ter a thrashing to the youth.
I'll go you with six shooters if 1t suits
your royal highness any better" eagerly
replied Bud.
Very well; but let it be on the square,
said Boss in the trembling tones of a
brave man forced into a fight against his
will.
One of the cowboys who had surround
ed the pair was a Virginian. He sug-
gested that the code be observed and at
once became very enthusiastic over the
affair. The Virginian was by common
consent chosen master of ceremonies, and
to his credit be it said that he oficiated
c~onscientiously and acceptably.
1t was agreed that the men should be
placed fifty yards apart and fire once
each at the word. The distance wa
measured with a RATA. seconds chosen,
the camp cook installed as surgeon and
the weapons carefully prepared.
When the men faced each other in the
open the diminutive Bud, excited but de-
termined and the gigantic Boss, cool but
pale, the difference in size was SO appar-
ent that despite the solemnity of the occa-
sion it was iukingly commented upon.
Bud was advised to stand upon a Bnfalo
chip and derisively retorted that he would
cut his opponent down to his size.
The worried steers, mystifed over the
unwonted sight ceased grazing, shifted
the air and paved the earth. The intel
ligent little COW ponies actually seemed to
beinterested in the affair. The Virginia,
who was evidently a veteran at the bust
ness, freely offered to wager thaLthe kid
fired first"
The seconds announced in an off ha nd
business way that all was set" and the
cook commenced counting. At three"
both six-shooters belched fire. Bud was
quickest, the Virginian a heavy winner
and Boss an incapacitated foreman. He
wasn't killed but his unerring right arm
will not launch a rawhide loop in the air
for many a day.
Bud was uniniured and more combative
than ever He proposed another slot
apiece, but Boss said that while he cid
handle a gun with his left hand he Wild
shoot in the air next time. That big man
with the courage Of a lion was fearful lest
he might UNNECESSARILY take the life of
a fellow man.
Bud was satisfied and on a~pologizing to
the foreman was reinstated to his position. |