Year: 1872

My Race for Life.


l was riding along the Tuolums
river one summer afternoon, wher
came upon camp of Mexicans
some ten or a dozen in number
The day had been unusually warm
No; that is not the word; it was ho
sweltering hot, and felt tired ani
worn out with my long ride ant
hard exertions. In fact, my con
dition was such that l determined
to accept the proffered hospitality
of the Mcxicans, rather than trave
eight or ten miles to town. So
taking the saddle off"Gringo," my
tough little mustang, 1 staked hin
out and rejoined the party, por
tion of whom were busily employed
getting something to eat. They die
not appear to notice my presence
particularly; treating me, however
with that marked politeness which
they generally show to stranger
But one among them could speak
English, and from him l learned
that they were miners, who had
come from an adjoining county in
search of better diggings. On the
way quarrel had arisen between
two Of the party about that fruitful
cause of mans troubles as well as
blessings 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
with bowie knives early next morn.
ing. My arrival, Antoine stated,
had caused them some uneasiness,
as l was looked upon as an officer
of the law; and they were even now
undecided what to do, although the
general idea was to postpone the
combat until after had taken my
departure.


Here, thought l, is chance for
me to play the part of peacemakcr;
and there and then, through the
medium of Antoine, as Interpreter,
my work began The aggrieved
parties were brought together, and
the folly and madness ofproceeding
to extremes strongly represented.
My eloquence prevailed, mutual ex-
plantations followed, the Mexicans
shook hands, and friendship was,
apparently, fully restored. After
this we all felt in such good humor
that the bottle passed freely, and !
fear that more than one of our
number swallowed a little too much
of the ardent. +. AT all events, know
that my head appeared to have
attained most remarkable growth
the next moining.


During the evening, however,
one of the Mexicans-a big, swarthy
fellow with an ugly scar on his
cheek, evinced rather an unusual
interest in piece of personal pro-
perty belonging to me, namely a
large six shooter with a white ivory
handle and handsomely mounted.
Twice he asked me to let him see it,
his eyes fairly danced with pleasure
while handling and examining the
weapon. Time and again, through
the medium of the Interpreter, he
inquired how much l would take
for it. Worn ont with his impor-
tunilies, / at last consented to ex-
change my revolver for the one he
had and six ounces of gold dust in
to the bargain.


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


Looking around l could see my
companions of the night, whom l
had left playing monte, each wrapped
in his heavy blanket, and to Judge
from all appearances fast asleep.
Having a long days ride before me,
and feeling vexed and disgusted
with myself, 1 arose and went to
where "Gringo" was doing his best
to get a square meal out of the
stunted grass that grew within
reach of his tether. To blanket
and saddle him was the work Of
but few minutes, and we were soon
galloping rapidly away, without as
much as saying good bye to a single
one of the party.


had not gone moro than mile,
however, before l became conscious
that some one was riding hard in
pursuit, or at least coming at a
furious gait from the direction of
the camp. A sharp bend in the
road brought the horseman into
full view, and glance served to
show me that it was none other
than the ugly-looking customer with
whom l had swapped pistols the
night before. My first impulse was
to draw my six-shooter. But,
horror! ! saw instantly 1t was not
loadedl The next movement was to
strike my spurs into the fianks of
poor "Gringo" determined on race
for life. Looking back, the swarthy
Mexican could be plainly seen, urg-
ing on his horse with lash and spur,
while to add to my terror, he was
brandishing my white handled re-
volver over his head in the most
threatening manner.


At last, in utter despair Of escape
/ threw myself from the saddle and
sought safety by taking to the brush.
Too late! too late! The Mexican
with the hideous scar, and his
horse covered with foam, was upon
me in an instant. But l had sense
enough left, and courage enough,
too, not give up life without one
desperate struggle. So, clubbing
tho old six-shooter, l raised my
hand to strike just as the big Mexi-
can rushed upon me. When within
a few feet of where l stood, how
ever, he suddenly jerkcd his horse
back upon his launches, and then
n wild laugh rang through the
woods, loud enough to be heard a
mile away. The fellows eyes fairly
rolled in his head as he looked at