Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-05-10
CODY SAVED HIM.
Why Congressman Hall Swears by Bufral
nfII


Talking about Col. Cody" said Con-
gresham Hall of Missouri, TO Wash
ingtOn Post interviewer the other day,
Bill once saved my life, under the fol-
lowing circumstances: l was tender
footing out in the Black Hills and one
day persuaded a hotel-keeper-his
house was crOwded-to let me have
room which he had promised to Dead
wood man The Deadwooder was
known as a terror. When he arrived
he went for me. l happened to be talk
ing with Bufiolo Bill and California
joe | gained a little time by hitting
the terror with a sandstone matchsafe
which weighed about twenty pounds.
Meanwhile my two friends unlimber-
ed.
See here l said for it struck me as
a good time to be widely magnanimous,
if there are any differences they're be-
tween me and this Deadwood gentle
man with the injured head. l don't
want my friends shot upon my ac-
count and 1 suppose he feels the same
way about his Now. I'm here, and
perfectly ready to arrange our troubles
in any way he'll suggest
Il was tall and strong. and just out
Of a college gymnasium and had no
great fears of the outcome Of any fstic
collision. The Deadwood man had
come around by this time. The stone
match safe, while it had knocked
deal Of the whisky out of him. had left
him more violent and ugly than ever.
As l made what one might call my
grandstand play, l saw murder come
in his eyes.
"'AI right he retorted, with an
oath, as he searched out a nine-inch
bowie knife from somewhere back Of
his neck wen settle this with knives.
Come right outside and I'll have you
split into half apples in about a min
ute
This was a STARTER. I didn't like
the programme at all. That knife he
drew had a dull, evil glimmer, which
was very fatiguing. But l saw no way
out. l gave Cody back his pistol in a
mechanical way. and he passed me
over bowie knife almost as heavy as
the pistol. 1t was long, wicked and
had an air OF truculent business about
it which gave me heart right away.
Don't take it that way said Cody,
instructively, as / held it dagger-fash-
ion. after the style of an actor on the
stage. THERE changing it, Hold it
just the same as you would a sword.
Now, don't let this fellow rat
tie YOU at all. You've got
a knife two inches longer in
the blade than his, and with your
height and length of arm the things a
push-over.'
Il began to be much encouraged; a
good weapon puts heart in a man. and
Cody's knife balanced in my hand like
a Ratchet. | started for the door
Hold up, said Cady, detainingme,
let me go first It's a 10 to1 shot that
Deadwood man is standing right be-
side the door, ready to bushwhack you.
So take 1t easy and let me have the
lead. l know these people clear down
to the turn
1t was as Cody apprehended. The
Deadwood man stood close-hugged
against the front of the dance hall, to
the right of the door ready to give me
the whole blade OF the knife as I
stepped out Cody and he saw each
other at the same moment; just as the
former stepped to the door The Dead
wood man didn't want Cody. and at
the sight Of him jumped back a step
with an oath like a rasp.
You will, will your said Cody. and
his tones We're as full of sudden fero-
city as a thunder cloud of electricity.
As he spoke his pistol whirled on his
finger like wheel Of light, and eXplod-
ed
" Bang
The Doadwood man at the same mo-
ment gave a howl threw down his
knife and fled.
Did YOU hit him.? I asked, shocked
at the ferocious suddenness of it all.
81 didn't try he replied.
Let's get a drink, said California
joe turning calmly to the bar 1t was
the first observation he had made since
the row began some ten minutes be
fore
"But the Deadwood mani I said in
terrogatiyely.
"WhO. him. said California Joe,
with n strong color of contempt in his
tone. You'll never see that Cimmaron
no more. He's going so fast
right now he's jest hittin'
in high places. In an hour
he'll be miles away I caught that
piece of news in his last yelp. 1t was
what I call the 'good-by' yelp. Make
it whisky, barkeep, whisky all around"