The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-03-08
AN ARIZONA EPISODE.
BY COSMOS MINDELEFF.


off to the rear of the tent.
The little fellow looked at me, and
I looked at him. Neither spoke for
minute or more. Finally the suspense
became too great; he shifted from one
foot to the other and presented such u
picture of uneasiness that | laughed.
At this he recovered his sef-possession
and said:
Good dayl I ha,e1't been intro
duced TO you; my nime is Carter.
! Leonard, introduce me to this gentle
man." Leonard yelled out my name,
and Carter resumed: "We've come
down with our friend Leonard here to
see that he gets satisfaction for the
way you've treated him. We've de.
cided that you'll either have to put up
your dukes against all three of us or
wade the river three times"
Every well, replied. ''In that
case will fight. / expect you to act
as my second and see that | have fair
play. Draw u ring outside, and / will
join you in n moment" / knew that
| would have to remove my coat and
vest, aud | wished to get rid of my re-
volver without letting them see it.
As they went out turned to Bar
ton and, to my CONSERVATION, found
him the picture of abiect fear. Put
ting my revolver into the holster j
handed it to him and told him to stand
by the door with it when ! went out,
to closely watch the men during the
fight and il either of them raised his
gun, or If more than one at time at
tackled me, to fire into the crowd, and
in the confusion following the unex-
pected shot ] would have an opportu-
nifty to break for the tent, snatch the
revolver from his hands aud from be-.
hind the shelter of the big tree hold
my own against them.
Barton said he understood and
promised to follow my instructions.
Afterward learned that as soon as 1
turned my back he dropped the pistol
and ran out into the bushes, where he
hid himself. But not knowing this at
the time | went out with confidence
and stood up before Leonard in the
ring.
Leonard was almost exactly my
height and weight, and as he stood be-
fore me stripped to n tight-fitting
undershirt, trousers and moccasins. /
could see the movement Of his muscles
as he put up his guard and made play
with his hands. He seemed no mean
antagonist, aud thought as | exam
ined him critically that / would have
to do my best, disabled as | was, il |
| hnl q, ,t, 10
But noticed that his face was flushed
with drink and excitement, and in that
/ felt that had an advantage.
The ring had been drawn nearly in
the centre of the open space; Carter
aud his companion stood little to one
side with their pistols in their hands,
'to see fair play" and they notified
me that if 1 made the slightest move
which they considered unfair they
would take hand in the fight. Car
ter came up and examined my clothing
to see that had no weapon. Then,
turning to Leonard, he said:
"We'll see that you do him up"
and moment later asked him, "Are
you ready?"
BY this time number of Indians
and Mexicans had appeared, attracted
by the sound Of the firing, and they
stood in little groups some distance
of, ready to break away into the
bushes if pistol play recommended.
"Play ballr' shouted Carter, and /
advanced and put up my guard. Leon
ard made pass at me, but failed to
land. / had been good boxer in my
boyhood days, and the knowledge now
stood me in good stead.
While the sparring was going on |
kept one eye on Carter and the big
man. / was afraid that straight
knockout blow delivered by me would
be the signal for two pistol shots and
, that Barton might not be quick enough
to fire first, l temporized, sparrine
lightly, until Carter called out
"Kick him, Leonard; kick the stuf.
fiug out OF him."
"Hold on" cried, Kicking is not
allowed" for had been notified that
"this was to be fair fight, no rough
, and tumble"
"Kicking is all right" reioined Car
ter in su.ly tone. This angered me-
unu aS Leonard maue announcer fuSn a.
me met him half way, aud striking
through his guard landed my right
full in his face. Leonard spun around
aud around and finally measured hi,
/ length on the ground, fully twelve feet
from where L stood. As he fell
' whirled upon his two companions and
cried out, "One for me-"
: "Yes, that's one for you," replied
Carter. but it's my turn next"
3 "Wait moment" replied. "I'm
r not through with Leonard yet, MOI
will be until he has said he has hat
enough"
'Ive had enough" rejoined Leon
, ard, rising to his feet. "It's Carter,
\ turn now. Give me that gun, and i
| he hits You the way he hit me I'll blow
4 his head of. -
4 ''If Leonard has enough, so hav,
l." was my reply. 81 shall certainl,
0 not fight with men l never saw be
e.