The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-13

threw his laSsn. also Immediately drew II
back. Tho skill OF savage nature here
came into play, and the agility of the two
men showed wonderfully in the strange
surroundings and under the matches
canopy OF heaven
The duel was, however, undecisive, for
both of the combatants showed q remark
able skill in handling the lassos. The
Carib. seeing that his adversary was not to
be taken at a disadvantage, suddenly
changed his tactics. and with the
rapidity of lightning began to ride around
Matagalpa. charging from different posi-
tons and from all directions. His move
ments were splendid and the rapidity OF
his attacks remarkable. The horse, feeling
the mastery hand. moved like in q circus,
and its rider. already triumphant and ex-
cited. with every second more boldly
swung his lasso.
But Matagalpa was an antagonist not to
be despised, and for q few minutes the
combatants were satisfied to show their
agility and SRI ndid horsemanship. The
lassoes whistled in the air like serpents,
yet so far none of the antagonists were
captured.
But harkl now this strange duel is APP
preaching its end. Matagalpa suddenly
rode close to the Carib, and quickly. like
an ARC W, threw on him his lasso. The In
dian had no time to avoid the running
moose. We saw the lasso shivering and
quivering, yet solid and spun like wire.
and not returning to its owner. The In
dian was captured!
And now came Matagalpa's turn. Soon
as he perceived that the Indian was entan-
eled, he revolved his horse around an an
gle of ninety degrees and plunged the
spurs in the animals belly.
The horse darted around like an arrow.
We heard humping sound, and the Carib
fell to the ground like q log of wood.
The battle was finished; but not was
only the beginning of the drama.
Instead of capturing the Indian as
everyone expected, Matagalpa darted
forward like demon, dragging after him
his entangled adversary.
We looked upon each other terror-strick-
en-. and the band of Indians uttered ter
rible yell, to which, however, Matagalpa
paid no attention. As If pos
sessed by all the spirits of hell,
the Zambo rode in all possible directions,
over stones and prickly cacti, dragging the
unfortunate man behind him. 1t was a
savage, barbarous, ferocious and brutal
cruelty.
But Matagalpa was merciless. Not sat-
isied with this action, he began now to
ride around our camp in the same manner
and in the same direction as it was done
before by the Indians. His victim was
covered with blood, dirt, and scarcely gave
any signs OF life.
Matagalpa rode once, twice, three times
around our camp, and when he at the
third time reached the spot where he over
came his antagonist. he halted. dis
mounted, and approached his powerless
enemy. His face was terrible, and
his eyes bloodshot as he kneeled down
dying man.
gave with his other hand terrible blow in
the bloody face of the Indian.
me conoces?" he repeated, and one.
two, three; we counted the blows.
"Ah, you do not know me, yon son-of-a-
devil, mi nombre es Matagalpa, Matagalpa.
Matagalpa!" and one. two, three. sounded
the blows.
"Matagalpa, Matagalpa, Matagalpa. one,
two, three.
We looked on each other. unable to utter
word. Don Rafael's face was as white as
snow.
And meanwhile on the prairie we hear
the words, ''Matagalpa. Matagalpa, Mata-
galpa!" and one. two. three.
Suddenly the Zambo uttered a piercing
shrek, jumped TO his feet. grasped large
stone, and-horror of horrors-crushed
with it the skull of the dying man.
The silence followed. the silence of the
sepulchre. Even the Indians did not
utter word but silently made away like
the spirits of the night.
The drama of the desert was finished,
but now we had to witness the epilogue.
Don Rafael, pale as death, but bristling
with indignation, grasped revolver and
aloud called: "Matagalpa!" The Zambo
approached with sorrowful face, and
with his usual respectful countenance. Ali
the previous wild savagery was gone from
the man. The Zambo seemed again the
same old silent Matagaipa. Senior Moreno
said, slowly but firmly.
'Matagalpa, you committed dastardly
and most cruel act-an act unworthy of a
man and Christian; you must die"
"Esta bueno, senor." answered the
Zambo; shut before you kill me listen to
what have to say"
.You have FIVE minutes" said Don Ra-
fael. "be quick, for nothing can save YOU"
"Mire senores," began Matagalpa, THAT
devil whom I have killed was my greatest
enemy.
"What2" exclaimed we, astonished, did
you meet this man before?"
Isl, senores, few years ago l was as
happy as anybody in this world. 1
was living with my family on
the banks of the MatagaIpa river
and was engaged to be married to a
young girl of our tribe. One day there ar
rived young Carib, Wul-Wul, who was
obliged to fee from his native land before
the vengeance of powerful cacique. We
received him kindly and he became one of
our family. loved him like brother and
he professed great friendship towards
me. When Wul-Wul was a few
weeks in our village, there arrived a mes
senger stating that the caciQue was dead
and that our guest could return safely to
his native land. Wul-Wul indeed re-
turned, but not alone; one night he disap-
peared, and with him my affianced wife. /"
At these words Matagalpa covered his
| eyes with his large brown hand and all his
powerful frame trembed. / remarked
| here also that Don Rafael threw aside the
revolver he held until now in his hands.
II followed the seducer for a year, con-
tinued Matagalpa, ''and when finally I
found his village / was told that Wul- WuI
and all his family had persisted in war. 1t
| was lie, but at that time believed it.
Today have found my mortal enemy and
| / took justice in my own hands. And
now. Don Rafael, judge me"
Moreno spoke slowly: "Matagalfa, you
suffarad much-very much h,,t -.