The Lamar register., 1893-07-15
THE PLAINS.

<7't of twelve wagons had
"a point on the Rio Pecos
:srsut seven miles above the
w Anton Chico We had supper
re smoking our pipes, and it
!. ~ oetween sunset and dark when =
-ysuny fellow about 20 years ola came
riding up from the direction or tho
Gomanche country He was dressed
like a cowboy, and what few words
ne spoke were in good English He
rode up to q camp fire around which
five or six of us were sitting, and
alter a Good evening" to all dis
mounted and let his gaze wander from
man TO man.
Teamster No. ) was Mexican half
breed known as Big Pete He gave
q start of surprise as the stranger
-ode up, and heard him cursing and
murtering to himself BY and by the
hoy fixed his gaze on Pete and kept
It there for long half minute. There
WAS q sort of smile on his face which
made one think of the look OF a wolf
who had pursued his victim for hours
and hours and was finally near enough
to seize 1t.
..Rife. pistol or knife?" he queried
OF Pete in q low, even voice
The big fellow looked around un-
easily. He was no coward. as we all
knew, but the sudden appearance OF
the boy hao ratified him for mo-
ment A full moon was coming up.
and there would be light enough for
firearms. He was good shot. but
that long, sharp knife was his favor
lite weapon. Besides. he was giant
compared to that slender but active
looking youth
The knife, and I will give you one
minute to say your prayers shouted
Pete as he sprang up.
Very well; just as you please.
quietly replied the young man as he
unbridled his horse and sent him
away.
Not q word was spoken by any of
made no other move Not question
was asked OF either man. 1t was the
law of the plains One man had the
right to demand satisfaction OF an
other by rifle. revolver. or knife As
to the cause of the quarrel. why
should we ask or care? Pete re-
moved his belt and jacket and SOM
brero-and tied q handkerchief around
. his head. The stranger removed the
belt in which he carried a couple of
revolvers. threw aside his sombrero,
and walked Of distance Of fifty feet
Pete followed. Every man in camp
formed circle about the pair. The
moon made everything as plain as
daylight The horses and mules
were all to the right of us So far as
all could see everyone stopped feed
Ing and gazed steadfastly at the cir
Gle
..Readyi"
TWAS the stranger who called out.
and At the word both moved into the
center of the ring and menaced each
other. A fight to the death with
knives is . horrible thing to look at.
and yet there Is . magnetism about
it which forces you to stand and
look till the end comes. Boxers
move eabout-feint-adva retreat
rush at each other and grapple-
So it is with men who fight with
knives Back and forth across the
circle-round and round it-their
knives now and then clashing to-
gether. and It was ten long minutes
before blood was drawn With the
first drop came death.
No man called out. No man in tho
circle moved out OF his tracks Some
of the horses came nearer and whin-
nied softly. ~ II asking what it was
all about, but this we remembered
afterward. Big Pete was working to
make his great strength bring him
an advantage II he could seize that
boys right arm with his left hand
and hold IL for i've seconds the duel
would be ended. Thrice he attempted
it and thrice he failed Suddenly the
boy found the opening he had been
seeking. So swiftly that none of US
could follow him he sprang forward
under the uplifted right arm, there
was the hash of . knife, and Big Pete
uttered . groan and sank down
..You are witness that it was fair
fight" said the stranger as he bent
over Pete and looked around the
circle.
It was fair. but no man answered.
He called his horse by low whistle,
slipped on the bride. and half
minute later was cantering away to
the east
Big Pete had wronged him The law
of the land would not give him salts
faction The law of the plains had
avenged him. A grave beside the
Pecos-a Ouesa or f~o M fn the