Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-02-02
THE FRONTIERSMAN.

OF Onlo-on 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 to that hardy and enterprising
class from whose ranks at 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 on u 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 to the latter.
The driver, who was an evident dis
believer in the doctrine of military
necessity" became highly incensed, de-
claiming eloquently on the inviolability
of private property, in relation to which
he would probably have concluded by
quoting the constitution Of the United
States-had it been then in existence.
But arguments We're vain. He was
alone in the midst of a military band,
ready and abundantly willing to enforce
their commanders orders.
The wagner was burly, double
listed, square built fellow, whose face
bore the marks of many a hard fought
battle. In his own locality his name
was, fistically speaking, famous. He
had on 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, if
any such there be at present, are 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 sullen look at the soldiers, as
if 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 fair chance; that the
odds against him deprived him of the
power of protecting his rights; that he
would, however, make proposition
which the captain, i'll his opinion, was
in honor bound to respect.
Il will fight you," said he, ''or any
many in your company. If am whipped
| will go with you cheerfully; if | con-
quer you shall let me off"
The wagner proved himself skillful
diplomatist. He either knew Crawfords
character or had read it during the in
terview. The captain was thorough
kwoodsman-stout, active and chiv-
alrous-and not undistinguished in the
field of pugilistic prowess. A refusal of
the challenge might be construed into
lack of personal courage, than which
nothing could more certainly deprive
him of the respect and confidence of his
men. Besides it is not unlikely that his
own disposition and code of ethics may
have suggested that there was nothing
unreasonable in the wagoner's claim of
"a fair chance" He at once acceded to
the proposition, and both parties began
to prepare for the encounter.
AT this instant tall young man who
had recently joined the company and
was IA stranger to most of them, and who
had been leaning carelessly against a
tree eying the scene with apparent in
difference, stepped forward and drew
Crawford aside.
Captain" said he, "you must let me
fight that man; he will whip you"
Crawford was unwilling to exhibit
the appearance of "backing out" but
the youth contended that to have the
captain beaten, which would be 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 it calculated to inspire
the confidence of others and enabled him
to carry bis point Crawford having
done all that policy required in accept
ing the challenge prudently suffered
himself to be persuaded by his men to
let the stranger take his place.
There was great disparity in the ap-
pearance or 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
his antagonist beneath the folds of his
hunting shirt appeared slender and
loosely put together, as well as lacking
in the capaciousness and power Of
ripened ma,hood, 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 superfuous flesh. The glossy
skin of his exposed arms exhibited in its
polished smoothness and fineness of
texture the surest proof when found in
man or beast, of natures aristocracy
Such a skin as MAINLY marks the human