The daily Alaskan., 1915-01-21
ABLIND MANS
 FIGHT
By Nj. QUAD
Copyright, 1911, by the Mcclure
 Newspaper Syndicate

Stutes occurred at Santa Fe, N. M., many years ago It occurred several years previous to the first Pacific rail road and while yet every pound Of goods going to the far west had to be hauled across the great plains by freight wugons or sent around Cape Horn by sea.
 Two men in a Rogers & Blair outfit fell in love with the same girl in Santa Fc. One was an American named Jack Hines. and the other was full blood pd Mexican. who was simply known as Don. The girl was half breed, and none of us outside the two rivals thought her worth fighting over.
 The affair had gone on for seven or eight months before the outbreak came. We were in Santa Fe, making ready for start cast, when the MeXi- can one evening approached a fire be- side which Hines sat alone and threw d package of powder on the blaze. With leap aside he escaped conse- uucnccS. but Jack Hines was blinded for life. It was a contemptible thing to do, and but for the civil authorities the Mexican would have been lynch cd As it was, he was kicked and beaten and bounced out of camp. A day or two later, as the girl had gone back on him, he tried to carry her otr by force, but had to let her go when she stabbed him. Hines depended on her pity in his misfortune, but snc calmly told him that blind husband would be of no use to her and laughed his fears 10 scorn. He had relative in the city and was taken in and cared for, while the Mexican crossed the Rio Graudr for time. 1t was year later' and Jacks old outfit and all his friends happened to be in Santa Fe again when Don returned. He had grown u-licr and meaner in the twelve months. We would have picked q fuss with him and shot him down, but Jack Hines had no sooner heard of his pres cncr than he said:
 "Ruys. you must arrange for duel. I shall never rest content until l have killed that McXicNn!'
 "But you are blind" we protested.
 Never mind that. ] must fight him and kill him. blind or not and the whole f Santa Fc shall look onT'
 When we found that he would have it so we carried a challenge to Don and also asked the authorities to let us have a public duel Some weak ob- fcctions were made. but they yielded the point. A fight of some sort was an hourly incident, and duels came oh two or three times week.
 "Ycs, l will meet the Americana" he said. and I will slice and cut and brick for one hour by the watch before give him the grand finish! The crowd that looks on will see some of the finest knife play ever shown on this side of the river. Tomorrow at noon, eh? 1 will be as prompt as the sum-
 You may believe that when the re- port spread about there was great excitement. It was generally believed that the blind man would fall an easy victim. but even his best friends said that he had better die with a knife In his hand than to live in helpless statc the rest of his life. To three or four Jack confded his belief that he would triumph His hearing had be- crmr aS acute as a fOX's. and be would make his ears see for him. He was in perfect health, had the nerve and courage of a lion and he believed he had a chance.
 At high noon of an August day over 1000 people. many of whom were Wom- Cn. assembled on the smooth turf to witness the strange combat A ring of rones was formed, and the spectators formed another. It was to be duel with knives. and seconds and a referee were appointed After each five min- utes there was to be rest Foremost among the spectators was the girl who had caused it all and she was free to say she didn't care who trtumphed. Each man was allowed to wrap bis left arm in serape or cloak, and all cheer Ing or advising was forbidden. The blind man was pale faced and nervous as the fight began, but his hard shut teeth told of the determination in his heart. The Mexican was all bows and smiles and confidence, and as he was known to be an adept with the knife @ groan went about the circle as the two stepped forward to open the fight
 That duel was something to be re- membered for all time. From the blind mans movements no one could have told that he was sightless. For four fve-minute rounds they fought with only a few triling scratches on either SiJle, but if there was any advantage ft was on the side of the American, who had the full sympathy of the crowd, Mexicans and all. When they came out for the fifth round Don wink ed and chuckled and said 1t was time he began slicing ears of. Hines had located his man in hairs breadth, and IS they faced each other the Amer. lcau lcaped forward like flash, caught the knife on his and threw it to the left. and the next instant his own blade had found the heart of the man who had blinded him. We who were only five feet away could not follow the movement. so swiftly was 1t made, but it was a successful one and, of course,