The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-10-01

40 gentleman ever drinks alone.
and with this &c threw the content
oil the glass into Arthur Lyons face
The unexpected explosion of a bonn
could not have caused grea ter cons ter
nation than did this warranted act
Men leaped from the tables and sough
places of safety, for such an insul
they felt must be followed by i'm
, mediate shooting.
Red SniveIy expected TO use hi.
pistol, for he drew it. but before he
could fire, Arthur Lyons seized the
arm that held the pistol with his
left hand , and with his own right he
planted Il blow between the ruffian's
red eyes that caused him TO fall as il
II bullet had been sent through his
brain.
No more fighting here" shouted a
mum of men, rus ing in between
Arthur and the man whom the land
lord of the Great Western was helpiI &
from the floor. ''If there's to be shoot
ing let it be done fair and square out
side under the rules of the code, and
not in a crowded bar where innocent
men may get popped over
| Il agree to thar roared Red Snive-
ly, who had now recovered himself.
Landlord, you'll act as my second. ="
I'll do that and take your place if
you go down." replied the landlord,
who was only little less brute than
the man he was chaInpioning.
And II act for this geutleman,n
said tall man, who had been sitting
unnoticed since he reached the place,
few hours before, with the mail
carrier. He had long, black beard,
his hat was slouched, and his coat
| collar turned up so that little of his
face could be seen, but there was that
In his voice and bearing that con-
WINGED the lockers Oh that he was no
ordinary person.
As the stranger took his place be-
side Arthur, who acknowledged the
offer by a courteous bow, he drew
from under his coat two revolvers and
he held them with the peculiar grip
OF man who knew how to use them.
"Have you good pistol?"
asked the stranger, as he took Arthur's
arm and led him out of the hotel in
the direction Red Suively had taken.
Il have nCt," replied Arthur.
Then take this. 1t is loaded, and
has fine hair trigger. Are you a
good shot?"
Arthur took the pistol the stranger
Ai'hbCN MN anu IL I)ilSu'
Il am not, and SO you must place
this man so close to me that his super
ior skill will not result to my disad-
vantage"
Leave the whole thing to me, and do
not interfere, no matter what l pro-
pose, " said the stranger, pressing the
young mans ann.
You appear TO be a gentleman, and
| will do as you say" replied Arthur
The crowd i'll the bar came out in
the rain:to see the duel, all taking
care to lie out of range.
II propose" SAID the landlord,
that we place our men at ten PAGES
with revOlvers, we seconds will toss
up for the word, and then they're to
fire and keep firing till one or the
other goes down"
I'm do nothing of the kind re-
piled the stranger, in tones that evinc
ed GOODNESS and determination; this |
bully" pointing to Snively with his |
revolver, lis good shot; my man is
not. IpropOse they shall shoot across
Il pocket handkerchief, or let only one
pistol be used; We'll draw lots to see
which man shall take it. Are you
agreed?'' he asked, turning to Arthur
Il agree to whatever yon say"
But don't.' shouted Red Snively
This amt to be u murder, but duel"
"A murder" cried the stranger,
striding toward the bully. "Do you
dare to speak of murder?''
Il want fair fight replied Snive-
ly.
"A fair fight is impossible without
an equality of skill and force. You
would not fight you cur,if you did not
feel that you had all the advantage on
your side SAID the stranger, with
singing contempt.
"Mebbe you d like to change places
with your man. said the landlord of
the Great Western.
That is exactly what | proposed to
do from the start, said the stranger
This is my fight" he added, turning
to Arthur Lyons. Hear me out.
have been searching for this murderer
for a year, and now after u hunt of
10000 miles, have him under my
pistol, and no man can fire at him till
| have squared my account"
Who are you!' demanded Snively,
his countenance purple and his thick
lips trembling with excitement.
II am George Pierce, the twin
brother of Henry Pierce whom you |
iulIutIeu III OF. LOUIS Ouc y ear ago.
The stranger drew off his cloak and |
false beard, and stood before the cowed |
Observation-Disclosures facing Satyr.
stand back, men, and let Us have |
it out. Coward and murderer though |
this Snively is, l will give him u chance
for his vile life"
The men dropped back and Snively |
suddenly raised his pistol and fired
He was in the act of cooking his |
pistol again, when the young stranger
raised his arm.
A crack, a puff of silvery smoke and
a crimson spot in the center of the
mans forehead, who lay dead before
the barroom door.
One hour after this, George Pearce |
shook hands with Arthur Lyons and |
rode away from the Mountain camp, |
the preserver Of one man life and the |
avenger of another's.
Soon after this the landlord of the |
Great Western had to fly the camp |
and was subsequently lynched in
Nevada.
Arthur Lyons is today one of Col
orado's most prominent citizens, and |
he often tells his children of the early |
days of F'airplay and of the duel he |
came near fighting on account of their |
mother.