Evening journal., 1896-02-22

other points had beon bolated, and only
about 90 residents of the country horeabout
had gathered at the depot
One company Of Texas rangers guarded
the depot, while the remainder went to
the bottoms on the Texas side, but not the
slightest effort was made TO Interfere with
the sports In any of their movements.
When the word to move had been given,
the visitors speedily found that, although
they had been on the road over 10 hours
and iourneyod 400 miles, the hardest part
of the entertainment was yet to come.
Following guides In struggling process
sion, they went across the prairie for a dis
tnnce OF 800 yards, and then commenced a
preoipitous descent Of a seldom used wag-
on road, that went In a clrcuitous way
down tho Rio Grande, over rocks and
bowldors, now slipping on their backs, now
clutohing at bramble TO save themselves
from fall and broken ankle, and now
stubbing their toes against huge cobble-
stones or IN cavities Of the rocks.
On Mexican Soil.
The sports toiled In double and single
file until the bank Of the river was reach
ed Then there was O tramp OF 500 yards
moro through sand and mud full ankle
toon bridge had been stretched across tho
Rio Grande, which, swollen by recent
rains. had been changed from q sluggish
stream to a roaring torrent. Onco across,
the sports were on the bottoms Of the
Mexican side, and the canvas that inolos-
ed the ring was to be seen in the distance.
Five minutes moro brought the sore foot
ed pedestrians TO the entrance, whore Bat
Masterson and Joe Vendig examined the
pastoboard tickets and passed the holders
within.
A moro ideal spot for such an event
could hardly have been solicited. To the
west, sloping down the very foot Of the in
closure, was mountain 500 feet In height,
rugged and almost perpendicular. Across
the river, on the Texas side, was its coun-
terpart, and fringed along its stern sum-
nit, commanding full view Of the ring,
were some 800 men and women, who look
ed like pigeons TO those below.
Within a stones throw Of the ring the
swollen river rushed with a dull roar.
Heavy laden clouds overhead and occasion
al drops Of rain completed the picture.
The circus canvas with which the bat
tleground was covered was 200 feet In cir
cumference and 10 feet In height. The
ring was composed Of white pine, covered
with white duck, and had an elevation OF
| four feet. Over in the corner to the west
were the two diminutivo tents for the con
venience of the principals in making theii
final preparations.
| Fitzsimmons and Maher, with their at
| tcndants, In the front rank Of the process
sion, walked down but few yards apart
| both reaching the inclosure In a profus'
state of perspiration. They were taken e
their tents and rubbed down.
When Referee Siler announced Tint al
was ready, 1872 people were at the ring
side, the remainder OF the visiting party
with the local contingent having decide'
that a view from the Texas hills was pref
erable 70 the expenditure OF $50 for a ticket
In response to Silers call, Julian asSe'
for ten minutes delay. Quinn consented
and It was readily granted.
Fitzsinimons, enyeloped In a fanne
bathrobe. emerged from his quarters an
bounded up the stairs Of the ring and SC
leoted as his corner the point TO the west
with his back 20 tho Mexican mountains
Maher appeared minute later and too
hit seat In his corner.
Julian Wanted the Cash.
Just Lefore the fight began Julian ash
ed, "Siler, Is the money up in cashf' y
Ter called for the purse. Tom O'Rourk
handed up two certified checks. Siler ter
dered them TO Julian, who said the
would not do, that they wanted cash.
''we gave you notice three days ago,
Fitzsimmons chimed in from his chaii
addressing himself to Siler, THAT W
would not fight until the money was pU
up in your hands at the ringside"
"They are all right, Tom O'RourkI
the stakeholder, said from the vicinity I
Maher's corner; "do you think woul
pack $40, 600 in cnsh down here. i"
Julian wanted the cash. Siler reiterats
! that the checks were certified and ther
fore all right.
',Oh, let It 60" Fitzsimmons interrup
ed; I'VE haYe given in to everything ar