, 1891-01-07

wA1 fired ut me, and they were evidently
waiting till they could tell whether
was injured or not.
/ now raised my pistol, took careful
aim and fred. The ball struck the mar
who wa holding the gun. killing him
instantly. The other with n cry of rage
seized the rifle and fSed three shots al
me in quick succession.
The bullets whistled near me, and one
of them struck the log behind which
lay. This was so small that 1 dared moi
raise my head to get a return shot.
therefore turned around, still keeping
fiat on the ground. and crawled bacl
some distance.
The tree in falling had struck an old
log upon the ground and broken in two
Where the two crossed each other was q
space under the broken tree through
which / could see my adversary.
/ rapidly cleared the earth away unit
/ could get a shot at him. He had run
up some rods nearer. and now stood par,
tally behind a small rock, intently
watching the point where he had last
seen me. Just as l reached the pisto'
beneath the log he moved quickly, but
fired, and knocked the gun from his
hands.
l instantly sprang up, crying, "An
other move and | will kill you"
He turned and attempted to gain the
protection of the nearest ledge. Al
he whirled around 1 fired again and
he fell. 1 rushed upon him, but
he was on his feet at once and
caught the rifle. 1 fired once more
breaking his wounded arm and causing
him TO let fall the gun. l exclaimed
stop, before 1 kill you'll"
Instead of complying he answered
fiercely, Il will cut your heart out,
and sprang toward me with a bowie
knife in his right hand. By this time
he was within reach, and made a savagt
thrust at me with the knife.
| sprang aside in time to avoid the
blow, and once more pulled the trigger.
No shot replied-the pistol was emptyl
My only chance was 1T close quarters,
and catching my revolver by the muz.
zle struck him n blow on the head, at
the snme time receiving II slight cut in
the shoulder. He fell at my feet, and
before he could move l sprang upon
him, kicked the knife from his hand,
and caught up the rifle he had dropped
in the fight.
He cried, Hold! l give up; don't
murder me-"
Lie still, then" l said, "and don't
move"
now ran to my dead animal, pulled
the holsters from the saddle, pushed the
empty revolver into them, and took out
the loaded one. Then / said, Get up.
now"
He was a pitiable looking object, and
weak from the loss of blood. He had
been twice wounded-onoe in the hand
and again in the arm-while my blow
ON his head had cut an ugly cash from
which the blood trickled down over his
face. took my handkerchief and made
n bandage for his arm, and by twisting
it tightly with n stick managed to stop
the blood.
L now babe the fellow go ahead, and.
taking my holsters in one hand and the
loaded pistol in the other. l obliged him
to walk in front Of me back to the inn
where we had stopped the night before.
Of the excitement there caused by our
appearance l need not speak. The near
est justice Of the peace was sent for, a
coroner's jury impaneled, and the state
ment of myself and the wounded robber
taken down. / was ~exouerated from all
blame, the body of the man l killed was
buried, and in the course of a few weeks
his wounded companion was sentenced
to n long term in prisons. S. Boynton
in Overland.