Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1899-04-12

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and Carter resumed: We've come
down with our friend Leonard here to
see that he gets satisfaction for the
wny you've treated him. We've de-
cided that you'll either have to put up
your dukes against all three of us OF
wade the river three times"
Every well" replied. 'sIn that
case I will fight. I expect you to act
as my second and see that I have fair
play. Draw ring outside, and l will
join you in moment. knew that
1 would have to remove my coat and
vest, and wished to get rid of my re-
. volver without letting them see it.
AS they went out I turned to Bar
ton and, to my CONSERVATION, found
him the picture of abject fear. Put
ting my revolver into the holster I
handed it to him and told him to stand
by the door with it when went out,
to closely watch the men during tx
fight aud if either of them raised hs5
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 I would have'an opportu-
nifty to break for the tent, snatch the
revolver from his hands and 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 1 learned that as soon rs I
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 tight-ftting
undershirt, trousers and moccasins. 1
could see the movement of his muscles
as he put up his guard and made play
with his hands. He see ned no mean
antagonist, and L thought as I exam
ined him critically that would have
to do my best, disabled rs I was, if I
held my own in the coming struggle.
But I 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 eentresof the open space; Carter
and his companion stood little to one
side with their pistols in their hands,
ssto see fair play" and they notified
me that if made the slightest move
which they considered unfair they
would take q hand in the fight. Car
Ter came up and examined my clothing
to see that 1 had no weapon. Then,
turning to Leonard, he said:
"We'll see that you do him up,
and moment later asked him, care
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.
"Plny BALL." shouted Carter, and I
advanced and put up my guard. Leon
ard made pass at me, but failed to
land. J. 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. 1 was afraid that q 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. I temporized, sparring
lightly, until Carter called out:
"Kicz him, Leonard; kick the stuff
fug out OF him. -
"Hold on, I cried, Kicking is not
allowed" for I had been notified that
"this was to be fair fight, no rough
and tumble.
'Kicking is all right, " rejoined Car
ter in sully tone. This angered me,
and as Leonard made another rush at
me met him half way, and striking
through his guard ] landed my right
full in his face. Leonard spun around
and around and finally measured his
length on the ground, fully twelve feet
from where I stood. AS he fell I
whirled upon his two companions and
cried out, Zone for me-.
"Yes, that's one for you," replied
Carter. ''But it's my turn next"
"Wait moment" Irepied. 'I'm
not through with Leonard yet, nor
will 1 be until he has said he has had
enough"
GIVE had enough" rejoined Leon
ard, rising to his feet. "It's Carter's
turn now. Give me that gun, and if
he hits You the way he hit me I'll blow
his head off,
'If Leonard has enough, so have
l." was my reply. 81 shall certainly
not fight with men I never saw be-
fore. %
"Well, if you won't. you won't" he
rejoined Lets, call it square" F."
Joining the two men I moved with
them toward the tent into which Leon
ard was Just disappearing. I noticed
one Of our Indians standing by the
door, magnificent specimen of n
man, over six feet tall and a noted
warrior. Apparently he had just ar
rived, and I nodded to him as we came
up, for we were great friends. 1t did
not occur to me that there was any
thing peculiar about his standing
there at the door, but his experience
was greater than mine-as the sequel
will show.
Just before we reached the tent, and
when perhaps twelve feet away from
it, one OF the men stopped me mo-
ment to emphasize some remark, and
MS I turned again the canvas flap of
the tent was thrust aside, and I found
myself looking straight into the muz-
zle of Winchester.
As looked the little black hole
seemed to grow and expand; all the
interest OF my life seemed centred in
that spot. The perspiration started
| o,1t on me anI If may he that my