Year: 1878

i
came upon a camp of Mexicans, some
ten or dozen in number. The day
had been unusually warm. No. that
is not the word; it was hot, swelteriup
hot, and | felt tired and worn out with
my long ride and hard exertions. In
fact, my condition was such that 1 de-
termined to accept the proffered hos
pitslitles of the Mexicans rather than
travel eight or ten miles to town. So.
taking the saddle off "Gringo." my
tough little mustang,I staked him
out and rejoined the party. portion of
whom were employed getting some
thing to eat. They did not appear to
notice my presence particularly; treat
ing me. however. with the marked
politeness which they generally show
to strangers. But one among them
could speak English, and from him
learned that they were miners that had
come from an adjoining country in
search of better diggings On the way
quarrel had arisen between two of
the 3arty about that fruitful cause OF
mems troubles-a woman.


Antoine, my informant, stated to me
that he had made every effort TO stop
the difficulty without effect. and now
it was proposed to fight it out early in
the morning with bowie knives. My
arrival. Antoine stated. had caused
them some uneasiness, as was looked
upon as sn officer Of the law; and they
were even now deciding what to do,
although the general idea was to post
pone the combat until / had taken my
departure.


Here. thought /. is chance for me
to play peace-msker; and there and
then, my work began. The aggrieved
parties were brought together, and the
folly and madness of proceeding to ex-
tremes strongly represented. My
eloqueDce prevailed, mutual explain
ations followed, the Mexicsns shook
hands. and friendship was fully restor-
ed. After this we all felt in such good
humor that the bottle passed freely,
and fear that more than one of our
number swallowed q little too mach
of the ardent. At all events, my head
appeared To have attained q remark
able growth the next morning.


During the evening, however. one of
the Mexicans-a big swarthy fellow.
with an ugly scar on his neck-evinced
rather an unusual interest in piece of
property belonging to mc-namely q
large six-shooter with an ivory handle
and handsomely mounted. Twice he
requested me to let him see it, and his
eyes fairly danced with pleasure while
examining and handling the beautiful
weapon. Time and again, through the
medium of the interpreter. he wanted
to know how much would sell it for;
until worn out with his opportunities,
at last consented to trade the revolv-
er for one he had, and six ounces of
gold dust in the bargain.


Despite the effect of the brandy, of
which l certainly had got my full
share. my sleep was disturbed and
broken. aud I awoke next morning.
just as day was breaking. sick at my
stomach and racking headache.


Looking around could see my COM
panions of the night whom l had left
playing monte, each wrapped in his
blanket, aud to Judge frem the heavy
breathing. oil fast asleep. Having a
long days ride before me, and feeling
vexed and disgusted with myself. |
quietly arose and went out to where
"Gringo" was doing his best to get a
square meal from the stunted and
scortched grass within range of his
tether. To blanket and saddle him
was the work of q few minutes, and
we were soon galloping away. with
out as much as saying good-by to a
single one of the party.


/ had not gone more than mile or
two. however. before become concious
that some one was riding hard in pur-
suit; or, at least, coming at q furious
gate from the direction of the camp.
A sharp bend in The road brought the
horseman in full view. and 9 glance
served to show me it was none other
than the ugly looking customer with
whom had snapped pistols the night
before. My first impression was to
draw my six-shooter. But. horror !
saw instantly it was not loaded! The





into the flanks Of poor Gringo. deter
mined on race for life. Looking
back. the swsrthy Mexican could be
plainly seen, urging his horse with
lash aud spur. while to add to my
terror, be was brandishing my white
handled revolver ovor his head in u
most threatening manner.


At last. in utter despair of escape. l
threw myself from the saddle and
sought safety by taking to the bush.
Too late, too late, The Mexican with
the hideous scar. an'l his horse covered
with foam. were upon me. When
within few feet of where stood how
ever. he suddenly jerked his horse
back on hls launches. aud then wild
laugh rang through the woods, lo1d
enough to be heard . mile away. The
fellows eyes fairly rolled in his head as
he looksd at me. while he shouted aud
laughed rs if his sides would split.


A few minutes sufieed to put things
in their right light. although ] could
not speak a word of Spanish. and be
was almost equally ignorant of English.
He made me understand by words aud
signs that he had lost all his money
playing monte the night before. and
now wanted to sell me back my pistol
for couple of ounces. He was awake
when got up. and Intended to make
the offer before my leaving. My sud
den departure, however. prevented his
doing so, and he speedily jumped on
the tieetesf horse in the lot and started
in pursuit. Mortified aud ashamed of
myself for having been 90 dreadfully
frightened without cause, | gladly
gave the fellow the money be asked