The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-01-24
THE COWBOYS DUEL.

Among the cowboys of the western
cattle ra'achos, riding, shooting, and
casting the lariat are feats of skill on
which all pride themselves, and in
which it is an especial honor to excel.
A cowboy's reputation, in fact, among
his fellows depends very largely on
his adroitness in these essentials to his
business. Hence there is often warm
rivalry, and many disputes take place
among them as to their relative per-
sonal skill in these arts.
We found the little party of cow
boys. near which we had our camp at
the Sierra La Sal, no exception to the
rule. Between two of then-''Bron-
cho Bob and Charley" as they were
familiarly callcd-there had long been
both rivalry and jealousy as to which
was the better rider. True, Bob had
for years worn with pride the nick
name ''Broncho," bestowed on account
of a grand exploit in breaking wild
horse, but Charley was great horse
tanner, too. and contemptuously dis
puted Bob's claim to the camp cham
pionship.
One day, when we were all riding
together, the two fell to bantering
each other, as usual, on this old ques-
ton of skill. The herd boss, after
listening to them while, broke in
with:
"Why don't you fellers settle this
thing some way or 'nuther n quit this
everiastin' jaw? Fact is, they can't
neither of you ride wuth shucks. fur
all YOU make sech blow about it."
] a.. 81 : I.~@l
of them upon him, and after they had
abused him for few minutes, he
said, winking aside to the others:
..W ell, never mind me; know l can't
ride 18th you fellers, but I've got an
idee-n
Know an idee when you see it?"
Hold tight to it, fur fear you'll
never git another" they chaifed him.
s'Well, was always too ginerous
fur my own good, an I'm goin' to
split this idee up. an divide it among
you fellers, SOS to let yoa see, fur
wunst in your lives, wat kind of a
lookin' thing an idee is"
All right; trot 'er OUT
Better rope it, SOS 'twon't git away
frum ye!"
Handle it keerful! it night kick!"
'No danger; faint big enough!"
Don't fotch 'er out too sudden;
might skeer the hosses!"
'.That idee must be mighty lonely,
rattlin' aroun' there in your skull all
by itselfr'
"Well," said Little, when this storm
of rude wit had died away, ''my idee is
fur YOU fellers to ride dooel."
Ride dooel? Wat d ye mean?''
'.Why, let each of you ketch the
widest, fiercest steer he kin git his
lass on ter-morrer, N then mex day
let Bob take the one Charley ketches,
n Charley take Bob's n ride IN, n
whichever sticks on longest, he's the
champion, N t'other un keeps his lip
buttoncd f;sr the rest O. the season.
What d We say9"
"Bueno! Good enough!" cried both
in breath.
'.Ye kin each choose ref'ree, n
them two kin choose a jedge."
..All right" cried Charley. "I'll take
the parson for my referee"
Little Billie" referring to me, a
nickname of Little's, sis good enough
fur mew chanted Bob.
So the match was made to be ridden
the next day but one, and Little and
were to arrange all details.
But" | objected. Il don't know
anything about the duties of a referee:
What am | supposed to do?h
why. eff we git inter row, you're
| to decide in favor of your man, N I'm
to decide in favor o mine, an then
| the ledge, he's to settle it" Little ex-
/ planned.
why not let the Judge settle it al
once. then?'
wall, it don't look ez eff there was
much use fur US ref'rceS, but that's the
way they do at the races at Sanity Fee,
50 / reckon it's all right. Who'll we
have fur jedge?"
Don't care; name him yourself.
''How'il the eap'n. n."-meaning my
brother John-"do?"
Hell suit me well enough. Is the
match to be ridden under saddle OF
bareback?T
saddle. reckon. amt no man liv
! in cud sit on a steer two minutes bare
| back; skin S too loose"
..sBridles?n
"We-e-il-ll. no; more fun 'ithout,
reckon. Might tie = piece o rope t
the horns to hold OH by"
.'Spurs?"
''Of course, want the thing lively
| you know
! So the arrangements were made
and on the appointed morning we al
| gathered To see the ..dooel."
Charley had caught a .'line-back,
| dark red with a streak of white dow
the backbone, and Bob, ''magpie.