St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-02-16
THE COWBOYS DUEL.
Novel Way In Which Two Dispu-
tants Settled Their Differences.
They Ride Two Wlld. Fiery 0teers for the
Champiosship with Unsatisfactory
and Damaging Results-
Declared . Draw.

Among the cowboys Of the Western
cattle ranchoS. 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 cowboys reputation. in fact. among
his fellows, depends very largely on
his adroitness in these essentials to his
business. Hence there is often a 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 cowboys,
near which we had camped at the
Sierra La Sal. no exception to the rule.
Between two of them-''BrOncho Bob"
and Charley" as they were familiarly
called-there had long been both RI
valry and Jealousy as to which was the
better rider. True. Bob had for years
worn with pride the nickname
..Broncho." bestowed on account OF q
grand exploit in breaking wild horse.
but Charley was a great horsc-tamer.
too. and contemptuously disputed Bobs
claim to the camp championship.
One day. when we were all riding
together, the two fell to bantering each
other. as usual. on this old question OF
skill. The herd boss. after listening TO
them awhile, broke in with:
.Why don't you fellers settle this
thing some way or 'nuther. m quit this
everlastin'. jaw? Fact is. they can't
neither OF you ride wuth shucks fur all
YOU make sech blow about Il"
The TRADE turned the wrath Of both
of them upon him.. and after they had
abused him for a few minutes. he said.
winking aside to the others: ''Well.
never mind me; Iknow can't ride 18th
YOU fellers. but I've got IN idea"
..Know an idee when you see it,"
Hold tight to it. fur fear you'll
never git another" they chafed him.
"Wen, was always too ginerous
fur NV own good, m I'm goin' tosplit
this idee up. an divide it among you
fellers. SOS to let you 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 from ye!'
Handle it keerful! 1t might kick"
mo danger; faint big enough!
Don't fotch'cr out too sudden;
might skeer the hosses!"
That idee must be mighty lonely.
rottlin' round 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 a dooel."
..Ride a dooel? What dye mean?"
..Why, let each Of you ketch the
widest, fieriest steer he kin git his
lass on te-morrer. n then mex day let
Bob take the one Charley ketches. n
Charley take Bob's N ride 'em. n
whichever sticks on longest, he's the
champion, n 'tother IN keeps his lip
buttoned for the rest OF the season.
What dye say?"
.Bueno. Good enoughr' cried both.
in breath.
..Ye kin each choose q refree, n
them two kin choose jedge."
..All rightr' cried Charley. III
take the parson for my referee"
Little Billie" referring to me.
nickname of Little's. IS good enough
for mer' chanted Bob.
So the match was made to be rlddet
the next day but one. and Little and
were to arrange all details
But" I objected. Il don't know an.
thing about the duties of . referee
What am l supposed to do?"
why, ef we git inter . row, you're
to decide in favor of your man. n In
to decide in favor o mine. an then tn
jedge. he's to settle IT." Little ex'
planned.
..Why not let the judge settle 1t .
once. them?
wall, it-lcn't look e. ct there va
much use fur refrees. but that's tn
way they do ut the races At sanity rec
so l reckon it's all right Whou W
have fer jedge? -.
Don't care: name him yourself
How'll the Cap'n--meaning p.
brother John-.-do:"
He'll suit me well enough Is tn'