The Opelousas courier., 1899-05-27
AN ARIZONA EPISODE.
BY COSMOS MlNDELHEF.


man. Leonard yelled out my nam,
and Carter resumed: "We've com
down with our friend Leonar2SSGS t
see that he gets satisfaction for ~
way you've treated him. We've de
cided that you'll either have to put IL
your dukes against all three of us O
wade the river three times"
Every w%ell,"I replied. gin tia
case I will fight. I expect you to &C
as my second and see that I have fai
play. Draw a ring outside, and I will
join You III a moment."'I knew tina
would have to remove my coat ant
vest, and I 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, founc
him the picture of abject fear. Put
ting my revolver into the holster
handed it to him and told him to stan6
by the door with it when I went out
to closely watch the mon during the
fight and if either of them raised his
gun, or if more than one at a time at
tackled me, to fire into the crowd, and
in the confusion following the unex.
pected shot 1 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 wi against them.
Barton said he understood and
promised to follow my instructions.
Afterward I learned that as 500 as I
turned my back he dropped the pistol
and ran out into the bushes, where he
hid himself. But not knowing this at
the tins I 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 fitting
undershirt, trousers and moccasins, I
could see the movement of his muscles
~ he put up his guard and made play
with his hands. He seemed no mean
antagonist, and I thought as I exam
ined him critically that I would have
to do my best, disabled Us I was, if I
held my W in the coming struggle.
But I noticed that his face was flushed
with drink and excitement, and in that
I felt that I had an advantage.
!. The ring had been drawn nearly in
the centre of the open space; Carter
and his companion stood a little to one
side with their pistols in their hands,
'to see fair play" and they notified
me that if I made the slightest move
they considered unfair they
would take a hand in the fight. Car
ter came up and examined my clothing
to see that I had no weapon. Then,
to Leonard, he said:
"We'll q that you do him up"
and q moment later asked him, care
you ready?"
By this time a number of Indians
md Mexicans had appeared, attracted
~ the sound of the firing, and they
stood in little groups some distance
If, ready to break away into the
if pistol play recommended.
"Play BALI" shouted Carter, and I
advanced and put up my guard. Leon
nd made a pass at me, but failed to
and. I had been a good boxer in my
days, and the knowledge now
'tood me in good stead.
While the sparring was going on I |
,ept one eye on Carter and the big
nan. I was afraid that a straight |
Knockout blow delivered by me would
70 the signal for two pistol shots and
hat Barton might not be quick enough
0 fire first. I temporized, sparring
until Carter called out:
"Kick him, Leonard; kick the STUFF
out of him."
"Hold on" I cried, clicking is not
llowed;;" for I had been notified that
this was to be a fair fight, no rough
nd tumble"
"Kicking is all right" rejoined Car
in a surly tone. This angered me,
nd IS Leonard made another rush at
I met him half way, and striking
trough his guard I landed my right
Ill in his face. Leonard spun around
nd around and finally measured his
on the ground, fully twelve feet
;om where I stood. As he fell I
'hirled upon his two companions and
ried out, "One for me-"
eyes, that's one for you," replied
arter. Outfits my turn next"
"Wsit a moment" I replied. "I'm
OF through with Leonard yet, nor
ill I be until he has said he has had
nough."
five had enough" rejoined Leon
I'd, rising to his feet. "It's Carter's
I'm now. Give me that gun, and if
Q hits you the way he hit me TIL blow
head off,"
IF Leonard has enough, so have
" was my reply. 81 shall certainly
ot fight with men L never saw be-
.'Well, if you won't, you WON'T" he
"Let's cali It square"
Joining the two men I moved with
EN- toward the tent into which Leon
d was just disappearing. I noticed
OF u Indians standing by the
Dor, q magnificent specimen of a
an, over six feet tall and a noted
arrior. Apparently he had just ar.
we'd, and I nodded to him as we came
,, for we were great friends. It did
1t occur to me that there was any
ing peculiar about his standing
ere at the door, but his experience
as greater than mine-as the SEQUEL
i'll show.
just before We reached the tent, and
hen perhaps twelve feet away from
n of the mon stopped me a mo-
emit to emphasize some remark, and
[ turned again the canvas flap of
9 tent was thrust aside, and t found
RaalE ln0kin = n&.o:-lA