Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-12-14
THE FRONTIERSMAN.

Captain (afterward coloneD William
/ Crawford-tns same man who was bar
barously tortured TO death by the In
dians in l7e9 near the site Of the present
village Of Upper Sandusky in the state
Of Ohio-on q certain occasion was
marching a company from the frontier
! Of his own state toward the western
wilderness.
! Crawfords men were principally hunt
ers and farmers from what were then
the border settlements Of Virginia,
belonging 10 that hardy and enterprising
class from whose ranks at q later day
were furnished those bands Of sturdy
pioneers whose dauntless deeds have
filled with thrilling interest the annals Of
the Ozark and Bloody Ground"
When on the verge OF the settlements,
In consequence Of some accident, Craw-
ford found himself without adequate
means of transportation for his baggage
and supplies. AT this juncture his eye
fell OH WAGNER who had stopped To
feed and rest his horses in the vicinity
Of the camp. In such an emergency
the captain felt no hesitation in pressing
the services OF the team and its driver,
and lost no time in communicating his
intention 10 the latter.
The driver, who was an evident dis
believer in the doctrine OF military
necessity" became highly incensed. de-
claiming eloquently OH the inviolability
Of private property, in relation 70 which
he would probably have concluded by
quoting the constitution Of the United
States-had It been then in existence.
But arguments were vain. He was
alone in the midst Of military band
ready and abundantly willing to enforce
their commanders orders.
The wagoner was burly, double
fsted, square built fellow. whose face
bore the marks Of many hard fought
battle. In his own locality his name
was, fstically speaking, famous. He
had OH more than one occasion gouged
out his eye and bit off his nose-I don't
mean his own-and was looked upon IN
consequence with much the same sort Of
respect which dueling communities, II
any such there be at present, s:e accus-
toned to pay to him who has winged,
much more TO him who has killed his
man.
The wagner at length became quiet,
directing a sullen look at the soldiers, as
il making an internal comparison be-
tween his own strength and that Of the
forces opposed to him. Apparently de-
irving but little encouragement from
the scrutiny, he turned once more to the
captain and observed that every man
ought to have q fair chance: that the
odds against him deprived him Of the
power Of protecting his rights: that he
would, however, make q proposition
which the captain. In his opinion. was
in honor bound to respect.
81 will fight you," said he, "or any
many in your company. II am whipped
will 20 with you cheerfully: IL con-
quer you shall let me off,"
The WAGNER proved himself a skillful
diplomatist. He either knew Crawford's
character or had read it during the III
terview. The captain was a thorough
ackwoodsman-stout, active and chiv.
slrous-and not undistinguished in The
field OF pugilistic prowess. A refusal Of
the challenge might be cons trued into a
lack Of personal courage, than which
nothing could more certainly deprive
him Of the respect and cOnliueuce of hi,
men. Besides it is not unlikely ttui his
own disposition and code OF ethics may
have suggested that there was uOlInug
unreasonable In the wagoner's claim Of
"u fair chance" He at once accedrd TO
hA mr.. ftfn nd
10 prepare for the encounter.
At this instant q tall young man who
had recently joined the company aud
was u stranger to most of them. and VINO
had been leaning carelessly against "a
tree eying the scene with apparent in
difference. stepped forward and drew
Crawford aside.
Captain" said he, lyon must let me
fight that man; he will whip you"
Crawford was unwilling 10 exhibit
the appearance Of backing ont" but
the youth contended that To have the
captain beaten, which would he the In.
evitable result of his persistence, would
tarnish the honor Of the company, and,
moreover, expressed the opinion that he
was the only man who could whip the
wagner. The confidence of the youth
had something in il calculated 10 inspire
the confidence Of others and enabled him
to carry his point. Crawford having
done all that policy required III accept
ing the challenge prUUeutly suffered
himself to he persuaded by his men to
let the stranger take has place.
There was a great disparity in the ap-
pearsnce Of the two men. The WAGNER
was in the full vigor Of maturity His
herculean frame, hardened by exposure
and exercise, to say nothing OF his great
experience in such contests, seemed to
promise every advantage. The form of
bis antagonist beneath the folds of his
hunting shirt appeared slender and
loosely put together, rs we'll a. lacking
In the cspaciousness and power Of
ripened manhood, but when divested Of
the garment that concealed his proper.
tions more perfect specimen Of physic-
al development was never beheld The
swelling muscles were unencumbered by
an ounce Of superfluous flesh. The glossy
skin OF his exposed arms exhibited in its
polished smoothness aud fneness Of
texture the surest proof, when found In
man or beast, Of natures sristocracy.
Such skin as plainly marks the human
thoroughbred as the silken coat Of the