The National tribune., 1896-04-09


gura, standing at Manuelita's side. At his
word Francisco took step forward.
'''I will fight you, he cried cut. Don
Porfirio give me leave to fight the COmanche
chief''
'ssantarito looked at him, and his lip
curled. am a chief, he said, and he is
only a-cowherd But let him come out and
be killed i will carry his scalp on my lance
when / ride with Manuelita back to our
rancheria.'
60, since you ask it, and God be with
you, said the don to Francisco. But ride
my black horse. You know him, for you
broke him as a colt. He will not finch or
fail you.'
Son the don's black horse, the swiftest in
the Rio Grande Valley, Francisco road out to
meet the chief He carried in his hand
gun, and upon his saddle-horn his braided
lasso was loosely coiled. The women lamented
and the men looked very grave at his pros
poets, for he could give but a single shot with
his gun, while the Indians culver was full
of arrows, every one of which he could send
in surely in the time it would take Francisco
to reload his piece. And then there was the
lance, and Francisco had none.
'Santarito rode back, keeping to the left
until he had reached point equally distant
from his band and the caravan. Francisco took
up q similar position on the right, and the
two faced each other hundred PAGES apart
The Indian laid his lance in the loops of his
saddle and took his bow and half dozen
arrows in his hand. Then, with shout to
his pony, he dashed upon Francisco waiting
to receive him with fusil raised. Half way to
him the Comanche swung down sidewise from
his saddle so that his pOnys body should
completely protect him from shot, and
sweryed the animal to pass Francisco in
circle At the same time, from under its
neck he sent arrow after arrow at him as fast
as one could count.
''The second arrow sent struck Francisco's
saddle, and the next passed through his sleeve,
grazing his shoulder. AT the same moment
he fired aiming to hit the Comanche's head
beneath the poney's neck. The bullet missed
SantaritO, but it was lucky shot for all that,
for it struck his bow, breaking it. Instantly
the Indian swung up in his saddle, grasped
his lance and charged straight at his enemy.
francisco set spurs to his horse to meet
the charge, at the same time lifting from his
saddle horn the coils of his lasso. With the
gun held in his left hand, he parried the
lance thrust, wheeled his horse behind the In
dams pony as it went by like q flash, and
huI10 his l.fSSO dItcT Ills dlDl WIS
true The moose fell over the Comanche's
head and shoulders, and, before he could throw
it off. Francisco had caught turn of the
braided rope about his saddle horn, wheeled
his horse, and set the spurs hard into his
fanks With bound the fiery animal was
off and away, jerking the Indian from his
saddle, over his p0ny's back, and dragging
him helpless over the prairie. AS he fell to
the ground the lasso slipped above his shOul-
ders, but tightened again about his neck, and
held
AT the sight of this, the Indians gave
their war cry and started for Francisco. He
did not pull rein until they were half way to
him. Then he checked his horse, leaped to
the ground threw the lassO from the Indians
neclz-the neck was broken-plunged his
knife twice into the COmanche's heart to
make his work sure took the gold star from
the chiefs breast, and, springing into the
saddle, dashed back to the caravan with
score of arrows whistling after him. The In
dians pulled up their ponies before getting
very near the Mexican party, and turned
back to where their dead chief lay. They
made 10 further hostile move, but seemed
stunned and downcast at the result of the
duel They did not wait long but rode away
to the eastward in the direction where their
rancherias lay, carrying with them Santarito's
body bound across the back of his war horse.
This is the story of the duel at Las
Salinas. Francisco, of course, was a great
hero after the affair. He married Manuelita
that Fall, as he had wanted to do for years
past. and he became head vaquero on my
grandfather's ranches, so they were both pros
porous 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 ut hand caused the
two to look around The approaching wagons
were still a mile away, but the foreman had
ridden ahead to select the spot where they
should haul up. He was stalwart, hand
some Mexican, about 40 years of age, and
the American noted his perfect seat in the
saddle. He rode up to them, bowed respect
fully, and stood awaiting any orders that
Don Mariana might have to give.
% Have you your gold medal with you,
Francisco? - asked the Don after their talk
about the location of the wagons was ended.
For answer the Mexican put his hand in
side his shirt collar and drew forth a large
star of gold, somewhat dulled and worn, but
still holding several of the brilliants with
which it had once been thickly set
Eyes see. You are taking good care of
it, ~ said Don Mariana. Then turning to the
American. I" 1t is the gold star that his
grandfather took, 40 years ago, on this spot,
from Santarito. u-Ne,r York Sun.