The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-29
uelita was Of his household. He knew the risk
he wna taking for himself and his people when

Her father had no right 10 say. who should have
my protection. and shall remain with her own
people. since she so choices. Sec. hero IL n
colt, ft for breaking. next year. which have
You in acqulttance Of her fathers promises
The chief laughed scornfully, and made =
81 viii give YOU my own saddle besides the
don continued. so that you may he equipped
in a manner b%ehttlns a great chief when you
''Snntarito's look was black, and he plainly
was lmuatient 70 end the talking. =,
care nothing. for your colt and saddle
or waiting. For the last time, / ask you. shall
! take her in peace or In war; .
4" Let IL he war, since you Will have II So
have offered you all ! have to give
his band and lifted his lance, But he re.
manned where he was, and did not give the
head chief OF Ills tribe, and It was n serious
sponsibiity. Besides, he knew TINT il II came
however the affair turned In the end.
We MAJ, settle. the matter another way II
single handed before all our men. Face 10 face
have the gin; or, 4 you are too old, send enc
''IIe looked as he spoke at Francisco segura,
standing at ,Manuelita's side. At his word
Francisco took n step %orward.
~ will fight you he called ont. Don
parGrio. give inc leave to fight tho Comanche
"Santarlto looked ut him. and his lip curled.
7 an n chief. he said, and he is only y COW.
herd. But, lot him come out and be killed I
viii carry his scalp on my lance when [ ride
Go, "iPcS you ask #, and GSd BE- with
him as a colt. lie will not finch or fpil. YOU
ION the don v black h hor the s wife In the
meet the chief. He carried in his hand. a
gun. and upon, his saddle Torn his, braided
and the men looked very grave nt his pros.
poets. for he could give but a single shot with
arrows, every one Of which he could send in
surely in the time II would take Francisco to
reload his piece; An nd then there was the
left until no had reached, point
caravan. Francisco took UP a similar posi-.
tion on the right, and the two faced each other
,on n%n IN tbc pT IoSs. " Of HI. aMS IaG and t l%lI his his
how and half a dozen arrows in his hand. Then
vito IA shout to his pony he dashed upon Fran
Half way to him the ComanChe swung down
sidewise from his saddle, SO that, his pony's
shot, and swerved The animal to pass Fran
cisco in IA circle. At tho same time. from un-
der its neck, he sent arrow after arrow at him
''Tne second arrow sent struck Francisco's
saddle, and the next passed through his lleeve,
grazing. his shoulder. At the same moment he
Meath the pony's neck. The bullet missed san
,arito. but it was n lucky shot for all that, for
Indian swung up in his saddle. grnsped his
lance, and charged straight at his enemy.
charge. at the same time lifting from his
saddle horn the coils of his lasso. With the
E thrus Ne'1 Wheeled i, e deT his horse be the .'i ind Iance
pony as it went by like a flash. and flung his
iasso after santarito. His aim was true; The
shoulders, and. before he could throa ii Off.
Francisco had caught a turn of the braided
and set the spurs hard into his TANKS. With
a bound the fiery animal was off and away.
Jerking the Indian, from his saddle, over his
iiaos@so slipped above his shoulders but tightened
again about his neck, and held.
AT sight of this, the Indians gave their
war cry and started for Francisco. He did
not pull rein r, Until til, they icy were enrs half way y T. him in.
ground. threw the lasso from the. Indians
eck-the neck was broken plunged his knife
twice into tho Comanche's heart to make his
work sure. took the gold star from the chiefs
breast. and, springlng into the saddle: dashed
S M%lS, } inc 'n AFTER saF nimI T TRe i = diSre OF puI frd"W Mp
their ponies before getting very near the Mex
ican party and turned pa. TO- where Their ir
move, buG seemed stunned and downcaSt at
the result of tho duel. They did not wait long
ton whery their ranchcrIaa lay, carrying with
them Samtarito's body bound across the back
Of his war horse.
This is the story Of the duel at Las Salinas.
Francisco. of course. was Il great hero after the
affair. He married Manuelita tina, fall, as he
had wanted to do tor years past, and he became
head NaQuero on my Rrandtathers ranches. so
they were both prosperous and happy. When,
after many years, his working days were over,
his son took his place on my fathers estate
Just as Don Mariana finished his story the
sound Of hoofbeats near at hand caused the
two to look round. The approaching wagons
were still II mile away. but the foreman had
ridden ahead to select the spot where, they
should haul mp. He was II stalwart, handsome
Mexican. about forty years of age, and the
American noted his perfect seat In the saddle.
lie TOD. up to them, bowed respectfully. and
stood awaiting any orders that Don Mariana
might have to give.
Have YOU your gold medal with you, Fran.
sisco>" asked the Don after their talk about the
location of the wagons was ended.
For answer the Mexican put his hand inside
his shirt collar and drew forth a large star of
gold, somewhat dullcd and worn. but still lold,
ing several of the brilliants with which it had
once been thiCkly set.
Yes, | see. You are taking good care of
it," said Don Mariana. Then. turning TO tho
American. 1T IL the gold star that his grand,
father took. seventy years ago, on this spot,
from SautaritO."