The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1899-03-16
AN ARIZONA EPISODE.
BY COSMOS MINDELEFF.

I Iremained seated, VIII Barton backed
CT to the rear Of the tent.
TIE little fellow looked at me, and
T looked at him. Neither spoke for q
minute or more. Finally the suspense
became too great; he shifted from one
foot to the othec and presented 50 h
picture of uueasiuess that I laughed.
At thi, he recovered his self-possessiOn
and said:
"Good day! I .ha' el't been intro
duced to You; my n sme is Carter.
Leonard, Introduce me- to this geutle-
man." Leonard yelled out my name.
and Carter resumed: ''We've come
down with our friend Leonard here to
see that he ge:s satisfaction for the
way you've treated bin. We've de-
ciled that you'll either have to put mp
yoar dukes against all three OF rs or
wade the river three times"
Every weIl," replied. tsIn that
case T will tight. I expect you to act
as nv second and see that I have fair
play. Draw ring ou side, and will
join you in a moment" knew that
I would have to remove NY coat and
vest, aud / wished to get rid Of MY re-
volver without letting the see it.
As they went out turned to Bar-
ton anil, to my CONSERVATION, foun
him the picture of ah.ect fear. Put
ting my revolver into the holster I
handed it to him aud told him to stand
by the door with it when I wen out,
to close'y watch the men during the
fight aud ii either of then raj Led his
gun, or if more than one at time at
tackled M, to fire into the crowd, and
in the confusion following the unex-
pecsed shot would haze an opportu-
nifty to break for the tent, sna ch the
revolver from his ha Ids 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.
Afterwara I learned that as soon as I
turned my back he dropped the pistol
and ran ont into the bushes, where he
hid himself. But not knowing this at
the ii ne 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 a tight-ftting
undershirt, trousers and moccasins,
could see the movement OF his muscles
as he ppt up his guard aud made play
with his hands. He seemed no mecn
antagonist, and I thought as exam
iued him critically that [ would have
to do my best, disabled as I was, ii I
held my own in tne coming struggle.
But noticed that his face was flushed
with drink and excite nent, and in that
7 felt that I had all advantage.
The ling had b en- drawn nearly in
the centre of the open space; Ca ter
aud his en- ranion stood little to one
si'le with their pistols in their bands,
'sto see fair lay" and they notified
me that if I ma le the sliyh est move
which they considered unfai: they
wou d take hand in The fight. Ca :
tev came mp and amined my clcthiag
to see that I hid no weapon. Then,
turning to Leonard, he said:
"We'il see that yo1 10 him up,"
AMI moment later asked him, care
yon ready?'
By this time number of Indians
aud Meyicans had a!pea Ell, attracted
by the sound OF til, firing, and they
stool in little groups some distance
OF, ready to break away into the
Oashes if ristol play rscommelced.
"Play ball!' shouted Carter, and I
advanced and put up my guard. Leon-
ard made pass at me, but failed to
land. I had been a good boxer in my
boyhood days, aud the knowledge now
stood me in good stead. ..
While the sparring was going on I
kept one eve on Ca ter and the big
man. I was af aid 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. I tempo"ized, sparring
lightly, until Carter called out:
"Kick him, Leonard; kick the ssuf-
fng ont OF him."
"Hold on" I cried, 'skicking is not
allowed;' for I had been notified that
"this was to be fair fight, no rough
and tumble"
"Gicking is all right, re;oined Car
ter in su lv tone. This angered me,
and as Leonard made another rush at
me I met him half way, and striking
through his guard I landed my right
full in his face. Leonard spun around
aud around and finally measured his
length on the ground, fully twelve feet
from where T stood. AS he fell I
whirled upon his .wo companions and
cried out, "One ior me-.
"Ies, that's one for you" replied
Carter. But it's my turn next
"Nait a moment" Ireplied. 'I'm:
not through with Leonard yet, nor
will I be until he has said he las had
enough"
'I've had enough" rejoined Leon
ard, rising to his feet. ''lt's Carter's
turn now. Give me that gun, and if
be hits you the way he hit meI'li blow
his head Off"
''If Leonard has enough, so have
l." vas my reply. II shall! certainly
not fight with men I never saw be-
fore"
"Well, if you won't you WON'T" he
..:nial tkI .,r:- al II cnr,nra ;,