Year: 1860

VINO hdo OeSn knocke0 Gown, atlempt-
ing to reach the offender through the
throng. A


Make way for him. ehissed the
miner, and will use nothing but this 7
and he raised his twelve inch bowie, and
threw himself into an attitudeof defence.


Hold, said the elderly man, who had
first insisted upon fair play, if you
really want to fight, select some spot
where there are fewer spectators if moi
put up your weapons


You are right my friend. said the
miner, but ] will meet yon scoundre1
where he win, when be will, and with
what he WILL


Enough said the gambler, rendered
desperate in his way; follow me with a
friend and W i'll accommodate you in
ten minutes


l am completely at your service
said the stranger, but have no friend
here, he continued turning to the man
beside him, unless l many call you one,
from the friendly part you have already
assumed in this difficulty


i will not desert you now,' said the
old man, extending to him his hand; : for
you are a brave man, a Kentuckian
knows how to appreciate courage


The miner smiled, and stepping to-
ward the table where the woman was
sitting, pale and trembling, said to her in
a low voice:


Fear nothing-if you are sent for,
do not fail to come : then taking the
arm of the Kentuckian, he followed the
gambler, who was just quitting the sa-
loon, accompanied by friend.


MY friend said the miner, as soon
as he had reached the street, the fight
must be in room alone, and without
seconds-with what weapons I care not.
Let whatever may transpire hereafter,
excite no inquiry, and l will explain all
to morrow


The Kentuckian bowed. Both par
ties passed down Washington street for
some distance, and halted in front of a
small two story brick building. The
door was opened by a Chinaman. and
taking lighted candle, the gambler led
the way up fight of stairs to small
back room. 1t had one window, and
was furnished with a cot-bedstead, a
wash-stand, and two chairs. Placing the
light upon one of the latter, the gambler
strobe toward the stranger, who had just
entered, and said:


Here is the place, and now the time


He expected the miner to manifest
symptoms of terror at the announce
ment, and ask TO defer the meeting but
be was in error, and the cool reply, Of
exactlyP rendered him alarmingly cog
infant of the fact.


As last effort to shake the resolu-
tion of the belligerent mountaineer, and
avoid the encounter, for which he felt nc
inclination, the gambler said, with af.
fected calmness


If we fight at all, it must be alone,
and in this room, armed with revolver
and bowie knife


l am fortunately provided with both,
was the resolute reply.


Then, d-n you, take the conse.
quences, returned the gambler, deter.
mined to fire before the word, and finding
courage in the dishonorable resolution
He found little consolation in the smile
just perceived through the beard of hi:
antagonist.


The arrangements for the desperate
encounter were soon made. The prin.
cipals, each armed with a bowie knife
and revolver were placed on opposite
sides of the room the door was to be
locked on the outside, of and at a wort
from the seconds, the fight was to com.
mence with either weapon, and to con
tinue for ten minutes, at the expiration
of which time the seconds were to en-.
er the room.


The weapons were examined, and tbs
combants placed for the struggle by can
dle-lgbt. The door had scarcely beer
closed and locked before the gambler
raised his pistol and fired. The bal
lodged in the ceiling, not an inch from
the other. With the spring of tiger
the latter threw himself upon the gam
bier, and crushed him to the floor befor,
be bad time again to use either pistol o.
knife. Wrestling the weapons from hi
grasp, be seized him by the throat, ant
holding knife to his breast, the mine
swore he would bury it there if he utteret
loud word.


All right-giye the word said tn,