The National tribune., 1898-11-24

hand we'll stay by Yourselves. These are
my men, hand Hi won't ave 'em hinter-
ferred VII by nobuddy."
Your men," sneered Shorty. You
talk as If they was nggers, and not white
men. Who made EN- yours?"
Stow yer Wild We bloody back"
returned the foreman contemptuously,"
hand pull haway from here Hi never
could bear sojers-blokes, too lazy TO work
hand too cowardly TO steal Hike out o.
here, and shut your 'ead hif you know
watts well for you"
Shut mp yonr own head, you British
blowhard," retorted Shorty, ''and mind
your own business. Wait till you are a
little longer in this country before you try tc
run it. And l don't want no more o. your
slack. If you don't keep a civil tongue in
your head I'll make YOU
The Englishman was just in the mood to
be savagely tickled at the prospect of fight.
lie had not had good, square one since he
had been In the country, and nothing yet
had offered so gratifying as the prospect Of
polishing off one Of the despised .'Hameri-
can sojeTs" Several of the hated officers
had strolled up, attracted By the high words,
and 1T would be an additional pl easuTe to
thrash one of their men before their eyes,
In revenge for the sights he felt they had
put upon him.
g You won't fight" he said disdainfuIly,
except with gun or knife, like bloody
Dago Ye dassent put up yer lands like q
man."
For response, Shorty handed his cap, his
gun, his bottle, his blanket-roll, his belt and
haversack to ST, rolled up his sleeves, spit on
his hands, doubled his fists, and stepped for
ward into boxing attitude.
- Balance nm to mo vnn haar-hfOafad
Britisher," he exclaimed, "and git natural
lied by real Star-Spangled Banner lic<in',
by an artist who kin comb down any man
that owes allegiance to Queen Victoree.
Here's Heenan for your Tom Savers"
The Englishman began disrobing with an
aiacrity that showed how much his heart was
in 1t. A ring was speedily formed, the Off
GERS, mainly Lieutenants and Captains, eager
ly assisting, while keeping their eyes over
their shoulders to see that no one of much
higher rank was in the neighborhood.
When the men confronted one another it
was seen that they were a fairly good match.
The Englishman was stouter and heavier; he
showed a splendid forearm, with correspond
ing swelling muscles near the shoulders, and
the way he poised himself and put up bis
hands revealed that he had 81 science - as
well as strength and courage. Shorty was
taller and more spare, but he was quicker,
and had the longer reach. 1t looked as if
the Englishman had the advantage, from his
solid strength and staying power, as well as
science But those who looked on Shorty
as inferior did not know of the training he
had received among the turbulent crews OF
the Mississippi River boats A man who
had summered and wintered with that frac-
tious race had little to learn in any trick or
device of fighting.
The first round showed that both were past
masters of ring tactics. Their wardings and
layings for openings were so perfect that
neither could get blow in.
When they stopped for moment to breathe
the Englishman said with frank admiration:
''Y're a heap better lot than Hi short yer.
Where'd We learn to handle yer dukes?''
''Never mind where learned. answered
Shorty. 81 learned enough to git away with
any Englishman that ever chawed roast
beef"
Again they closed, and spared quick and
hard for advantage, but neither succeeded in
getting in anything but light, ineffective
blows Each realized that the other was a
dangerous man to handle, and each kept cool
and watched his chances. When they took
another second to breathe the Englishman
said:
I'm goin' to settle We this time, young
feller, in spite o. yer fbbin'. Ye peck
around me like cock piekin' up corn, but
I'll bust We up. Look hOut for yerself. +"
He made savage rush to break through
Shorty's guard by main force, but Shorty
evaded him by quick movement, the Eng
lishman struck his toe against piece Of rail-
road iron, and fell to his knees. Shorty had
him at his mercy, but he merely stepped back
little farther, and waited for his opponent
to rise and regain his position before he again
advanced to the attack.
The Englishman lost his GOODNESS. Again
he rushed sayagely at Shorty, with less care
in his guard. Shorty evaded his mighty
blow, and reaching up under his guard struck
him on the chin so hard that the Englishman
fell like an OK.
Shorty took him by the hand and helped him
to his feet ''Do you want any more?
Have you got enough ," he asked.
Yes, Hive got enough" answered the
EngIishman. I'm too groggy to go on
Hive been drinkin bit too much TO 'andle
myself wi a first-elass man like yeTself. 1--WE
downed me, and we downed me fair, for
Hi m not the man to whimper about not
being fit There's my hand. We're friends.
Well try hit again some day, when Hive got
the likker out o. me; won't we?"
Certainly, whenever you Ike" said
Shorty, shaking hands with him.
Say, cul," said the Englishman, in the
friendliest sort of way, 'W' at was We wantin
around among nay men?"
$50 tell you the truth" answered Shorty,
20 was after them to enlis with US. We
lost five men in the shuttle at Nashville, and
| was lookin' out for some to take their
places"
That's wat I thort," said the English
man. ''That's wat | was afraid OF. The
'ead bridge man as bin preachin' to me ever
since e 'ired me, hand we made hup the gang
in New York, to look hout hand keep my men
from bein' enlisted. Say, youngster, his yours
a good regiment?
1.-THE very best one in the army" unhesi-
tatinglv asserted Shorty. All free-bOrn
American citizens, and heightened gentlemen.
tell YOU they're daisies, they are"
eli don't know" said the Englishman
meditatively, 'sbut HID like to see little
bit o. fghtin' myself Bridge-buildin's
'eavy. lard work. and Hi wouldn't mind
solerin a little while for a change"
'Come right along with me and this man,"
said Shorty, catching on. You'll see the
purtiest fighting to be found anywhere in
the army for the 200th Injianny kin do it up
to the Queens taste. And We'll treat you
white. A better set O. boys never lived"
chill do HIT" said the Englishman de-