The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-01-02

elevated over the horses back and the
barrel Of my Winchester trained on
the rock, | waited the first move of
the desperate enemy.
II undoubtedly had the advantage
Of him, and it behoovcd me to keep
it. The minutes passed away slowly
enough and the strain was beginning
to tell on my nerves when suddenly
cspied the tiny muzzle of a revolver
pecping from a corner Of the bowlder.
This flashed an idea into my mind. [
had done some pretty fair rifle shoot
ing in my timc-though / must con-
fess I had made several ignominious
failures few moments beforehand
here was chance to test my skill.
"Taking a careful aim pulled the
trigger, and to my inexprcssible salts
faction saw Mariscals weapon 60 spin
ming up against the side Of the gully,
where it was impossible for him to
reach it without exposing himself to
my fire. My delight was short-liyed,
however, as reflected that he no
doubt had another weapon in his belt.
"Ten minutes more passed and then
the miscrcant's sombrcro appeared
over the top of the rock as though he
we're trying to obtain peep at me.
"Whethcr it was a trick on his part
or careless error, I do not know to
this day. Not caring to take any
chances, though, I blazcd away, and
the hat went spinning into the air
pierced through the crown. After
this all was silent again for long
| time. Mariscal made not the slightest
move, and l concluded that he proba-
| bly, intended to tire me out, or compel
me to show my hand. Meanwhile the
| sun was creeping higher and higher,
and presently its sweltering rays found
their way into the gully, and began
| to make things decidedly uncomforta-
bic. The very ground grew warm, and
| my rifle barrel was hot to the touch.
"Suddenly fancied I saw slight
movement on the right side Of the
rock, and I fixed my gaze on the spct
| Mariscal's head appeared, for one
brief second on just the opposite side,
| and revolver ball plowed into the
horse not an inch from my ear. An
Involuntary jerk Of the head was all
that saved me. N1ariscals clever ruse
had nearly succeeded. He was back
! behind shelter before I could get a
shot, and I determined to be more
watchful in the future.
"The suns rays grew hotter and
hotter, and after enduring them with
all the patience [ could summon for
some minutes longer, l concluded it
was high time for the farce to end.
"I was on the point Of rising up
boldly and moving forward in hopes Of
getting the first shot, when plan
| flushed into my mind that offered
| more security and better chances Of
success.
"Not 10 yards to the rear of my
| position the gully made arathcr sharp
bend to the right, and I felt pretty
sure that the body of. my horse con-
| cealcd the nearest angle from Maris-
calls view. If I could crawl stealthily
away, keeping the horse constantly
between the range of the Mexican s
view, might get round the bend up-
| seen, climb out Of the gully and ap-
proach the enemy from the rear. 1t
was bit of strategy well worth try
ing, and I at once prepared to carry it
| out. I had revolver in my belt-a
| big 44-caliber-and placed this on the
body of the dead horse in such way
that the muzzle only could be seen
from the rock. 1t was a poor imita-
! tion of the bore of my Winchester, l
knew; but I trusted that the distance
would prevent Mariscal from discover
| ing theruse. All the while, Of course,
I held my eye on the rife and on the
rock.
Everything was got in readiness,
and, dropping on hands and knees, l
began to crawl slowly backward. AS
I receded from the horse the top Of
the rock came in sight, and | had to
get down still lower until I was fairly
squirming like a serpent. The sus-
pense of those few moments may be
imagined. Inch by inch [ crcpt to-
ward the coveted angle, peeping over
my shoulder occasionally to get my
bearings. The rifle 1 held cooked in
one hand, hoping to have still a chance
for life if the miscreant should dis
cover my stratagcm, and attempt to
get the drop on me.
;'The last couple Of yards grew SC
nervous that I was afraid to look
around, and l actually brought ur
against the end Of the gully. A glance
showed me that the angle was close al
hand, and few more wriggling mo-
tions brought me to the turn. Rising
cautiously on hands and knees, coulc
see the top of the rock distinctly. Sc
far all was well.
'T turned deliberately and scuttlec
round the bend.
''When / looked again, the horse
and the rock were both out of sight.
"Overjoycd at my present success
I | rose fcarlcssly and looked over the
IL I'll, ,r,e