The herald., 1915-10-14
A Carving
Knife
By WILLIAM CHANDLER


abroad, thought he would like to 20
into sheep raising in thF southwest.
That was time when thcstOuntry be-
tween the Mississippi valley and the
mountains was being settled by new
people and the population was COM
posed Of hardy pioneers, men broken
down financially who had gone there to
recoup. and desperadoes.
MacKnight concluded to go out and
look over the ground. The mode Of
travel In the region referred to was on
horseback, and. as for stopping places.
any settler would take in stranger.
One evening MacKnight rode up to a
small farm and asked admission Of
woman who bore evidence Of refine
ment. He was admitted and treated
with kindness and attention by the
family, among whom was q very pref
ty daughter just grown to womanhoOd.
The family name was Osborne. The
father had lost a fortune and gone
west partly because he had not the
means to enable his wife and children
to move In the same circle to which
they had been accustomed and partly
In the hope of accommodating new CAPT
tai. Macknight became interested In
these people and remained with them
several days.
One evening a mana bloated, hairy
fellow with an ugly look on his face
rode up to the house and called for
Osborne. Mrs. Osborne turned pale as
she told the man. whose name was
Muldrough, that her husband was not
at home. Muldrough rode away say
ing that he would call again. As soon
as he had gone the lady collapsed.
There bad been trouble between Null
drough and Osborne, the former hav-
ing branded some Of Osbornes stock
that had strayed on to his ranch.
MacKnight listened to the story told
tearfully by Rosa Osborne, and his
sympathies were aroused.
The day after Muldrough's visit
MacKnight left the Osbornes. Instead
Of pursuing his tour he rode to the
store a few miles distant from which
the neighborhood was supplied and
sent q messenger to Muldrough that he
would like to see him on a matter OF
Importance. Muldrough came to the
store, In which at the time were sew
eral cattlemen making purchases.
Il understand, Mr.. Muldrough," said
MacKnight, that there Is trouble be-
tween you and a man of the name Of
Osborne, at whose house I put up for
few days. I have called for you to
see II I can't bring about a settle
ment"
young man." said Muldrough, 81
want you to understand that II you
don't want to 60 the road I propose to
send Osborne you'd better keep out OF
this business"
MacKnight tried to reason with the
man. but, finding It impossible to pro-
duce any effect on him. took another
tack.
"Since you are determined to fight
Mr.. Osborne" he said, 81 think you
should give him a chance for his life
In other words, he should have the
choice Of weapons"
By this time the cattlemen had gath
cred round and evinced an interest In
the discussion. 1t was plain that they
were advocates Of fair play.
you kin tell Osborne" replied Null
drough, that I'll be at his house to-
morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Find
out what weapon he prefers. and I'll
have It with me-"
He will fight you with bowie
knives" rejoined Mcknight
"Muldrough laughed. "AIl right" he
cried. "Tll be there with a bowie
knife"
Gentlemen" said MacKnight, turn
ing to the cattlemen, there is a quar-
rel between this man and Mr.. Osborne,
at whose house I have recently been
entertained as a guest Mr.. Osborne
has family and can't afford to die at
present i am a bachelor and am at
liberty to take any risk. I'll fight Mr..
Muldrough with knives twelve inches
long on condition that the fight be
transferred to me and Mr.. Osborne
have nothing further to do with It"
That's fair" was the unanimous ex-
clamation. and Muldrough unwillingly
consented to the change.
A couple Of carving knives were pro-
duced. each a foot long; a ring was
formed. two Of the cattlemen were
made seconds and a third umpire.
Muldrough, who was a large man,
lowered over his antagonist. who was
OF medium height. MacKnight ad-
vanced, retreated, advanced again,
danced about his opponent, his knife
about as glibly as himself.
1t flashed In the sun and left a cut In
cheek, from which blood
gushed. The knife flashed again, and
the tip Of the big mans nose came OF.
went for his opponent as
a bull after toreador, but MacKnight
was not there. Nevertheless he left |
a cash In Muldrough's other cheek.
While Muldrough was wondering how
1t came his knife few up In the air,
described a semicfrcle and fell at his |
feet He was about to pick It I'D |
when bis adversary put his foot on IT |
and held the point Of his own knife at |
the disarmed mans left breast. The
fray was ended. . a