The Grenada gazette., 1889-01-03
THE COWBOYS DUEL.
Novel Way in Which Two Dispu-
tants Settled Their Differences.
They Ride Two Wild. Fiery Steers for the
| Championship with Unsa'isfa ttofy
and Damaging Ros"itn
| Declared Draw.

Among the cowboys af the Western
cattle ranchoy, 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 thepl--"Broncho Bob"
and Charley" as they were familiarly
called--there had long been both ri
valry and Jealousy us tu which was the
better rider. True, Bob had for years
worn with pride the nickname
"Broncho." bestowed on account of a
grand exploit in breaking wild horse,
but Charley was a great horse-tamer,
too, and contemptuously disputed Rob's
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, N quit this
everlastin' jaw? Fact is, they can't
neither of you ride wuth shuclSs fur all
you make sech blow about it."
The TRADE turned the wrath Of both
of them upon him, and after they had
abused him for few minutes, he said,
winking aside to the others: "Well,
never mind me; know can't ride 18th
you fcllers, but I've got an idea"
know an idee when you see it?"
Hold tight to it, fur fear you'n
never git another" they chaiTed him.
"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 you see fur wunst in
your lives, wat kind Of a lookin' thing
On idee is"
"All right; trot 'er out!'
'.Better rope it, SOS 'twon't git
away from vel"
Handle it keerful! 1t might kickm
mo danger; faint big enough!"
Don't fotch'er out too sudden;
might skeer the hosses!"
That idee must be mighty lonely,
rottlin' round there in your skull all
by itselfH'
WELL" said Little, when this storm
Of rude wit had died away, "my idee
Is, fur you fellers to ride dooel."
"'Ride dooel?' What dye mean?"
"Why, let each of you ketch the
fieriest steer he kin git his
lass on te-morrer, m then nex' day let
Bob take the one Charley ketches, m
Charley take Bob's m ride 'em, m
whichever sticks on longest, he's the
c champion, m 'tother un keeps his lip
buttoned for the rest OF the season.
What dye sayp"
"Bueno! Good enough!'' cried both,
in breath.
"Ye kin each choose refree, N
Them two kin choose jedge."
"All right" cried Charley. "I'll
take the parson for my referee"
Little Billie" referring to me, u
nickname of Little's, IS good enough
Ior me!' chanted Bob.
So the match was made to be ridden
lhe next day but one, and Little and
we're to arrange all details.
"But," objected. II don't know any
hing about the duties OF referee.
What am supposed to dop"
why, Of we git inter row, you're
% decide in favor Of your man, m I'm
% decide in favor o mine, an then the
ledge, he's to settle It," Little ex-
planned.
"Why not lot the Judge settle it at
,nce. thenP"
"Wall, 1t don't look ez ef there was
much use fur refrees. but that's the
way they do at the races at Sanity Fee.
% reckon it's all right. Who'll we
nave fer jedgep"
Don't care; name him YOURSELF"
How'll the Cap'n"--meaning my
brother .John--"do9"
"He'll suit me well enough. 70 tho