Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-07-23

some convulsion of nature had torn
the rocks apart; that entering through
what looked like marrow fissure, you
came upon straight smooth space,
bounded by unscalable crags. and car
peted by soft white sand. Not a cave.
because It was open to the heavens;
but all the same natural cul de'sac.
had found this place. / had ex-
plored 1t. had even longed that Eus-
tace Grant might be In there, while
stood at the entrance and held him like
a rat in a trap. And now the thing
I longed for had come to pass. Per-
haps to escape from the heat of the
sun my enemy had chosen the one
place in which I wished to meet him.
I was right in saying that fate was
shaping everything to my hand. Here
I should face him. force him to fight.
and slay him! I had him now! ~
Strange to say. no thought of an Is
sue adverse to myself entered my
head. So confident, so certain felt.
that paused for while at the en-
trance of the trap. and steeled my
heart by recalling all the wrongs which
I. had suffered. stood there until the
sun made the barrel OF the pistol,
which ! had drawn from my breast. as
hot as fire.
Then I crept between the two rocks,
and went to reckon up with Eustace
Grant!
The. change from the brilliant sun
shine to the cool gloom Of the grot, or
whatever 1t should be called, was SO
sudden that for a moment l could not
distinguish objects. When my eyes
grew accustomed to the shade, l saw
that Grant was lying on "a heap of
sand at the farthest end OF the ravine.
His broad-brimmed hat was by his
side. and he seemed fast asleep. I
crept toward him.. My feet made no
sound as they trod on the soft dry
sand. I stood over him and looked
down on his powerful face. strong,
sun-burned neck. and large. muscular
limbs. He looked the type of man
hood. All! no wonder he could win a
woman's love II he strove for it! -
A note book lay near his left hand.
Most likely he had been jotting down
something which struck his fancy.
when the grateful shade and the muir
mur of the distant sea had lulled
him to sleep-a sleep from which
he would awake only to sleep
again forever! Nay. might have
placed the muzzle Of the pistol next
b. heart. and have sent him, without
Thakening, from one sleep to another.
I;dt l had no intention of numbering
the man in cold blood: nor would 1t
have suited me for him to die without
knowing to whom his death was due.
Besides / meant 1t to be fair duel-a
duel to the death-between US. So I
stopped. and laid one of my pistols
near his right hand; then walked
back toward the mouth OF the grot,
leaned against rock, and waited for
him to awake.
Not for moment do attempt to dis
gliise the devilish. vengeful feelings
which could urge me in this calm man
ner to plan and compass this mans
death. Now that years have passed
since that day, do not even ask you
to bear in mind the wrong that had
been done me. simply relate what l
did, and shall not murmur at the blame
which know will be meted out to me.
The man slept soundly. waited
but no thought Of foregoing my pur-
pose entered into my brain. I waited
until the dread that we might be dis
turbed struck me. 1 had gloated over
my promised victim long enough. Now
let me act the crowning act.
detached loose morsel of rock and
tossed it toward the sleeping man. 1t
fell on his outstretched hand. He
started, rose to a sitting posture, rub
bed his eyes; then, looking round, saw
me, and knew why l was there. He
saw the look of triumph and fell pur-
pose on my face; he saw the pistol in
my hand; he sprung to his feet, and
took step toward me.
I raised my hand and covered him
with the pistol. He must have looked
almost down the muzzle. '.Stand
STILL" said, "or l fire!' ...
The bravest man may we'll hesitate
ere he rushes on certain death. Eustace
Grant stopped short. My voice, my
look, must have told him that my
threat was no idle one. The steadiness
of my hand told him that I should not
miss my mark.
You have come to murder meI' he
said, in deep voice. -8.
mo; to kill you, not murder you.
Look on the ground behind you; take
the pistol which lies there, then we are
equal. Take it, say. and face me like
man. Fire when and how you choose;
/ can wait my turn"
He turned and saw the pistol, but
did not possess himself of it. He faced
me steadily, although my weapon was
still aimed at his broad breast. Deadly
as my hate was l was fain to admire
his courage. .....
Il think you are mad" he said; "but
listen, l have something to say"
l stamped my foot: Coward! vii
lain! take that pistol or 1 swear I will
shoot you as you standH'
He stopped and picked up the wea-
pom. A wave of fierce delight ran
through me. The moment of reckon
Ing was at hand.
Yet he baked me. He held up his
hand, and fired both barrels in the air.
l uttered cry of rage.
you are man of honor, I suppose? %
he said. "You cannot slay defense
1acu man