Year: 1872




was hot, sweltering hot, and felt tired
and worn out with my long ride and
hard exertions. In fact, my condition
was such that determined to accept the
proffered hospitality of the Mexicans
rather than travel eight or ten miles to
town. So, taking the saddle off ''Gringo,P
my tough little mustang, | staked him
out and rejoined the party, portion Of
whom were busily employed getting
ready something to eat. They did not
appear to notice my presence particu-
larly-treating me, however, with that
marked politeness which they generally
| show to a stranger, But one among
them could speak English, and from him
learned that they we're 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 we'll as blessiDgs--a
woman.


Antoine, my informant, stated to me
that be had made every effort to stop the
difficulty without effect, and now it was
proposed to fight it out the next morn
ing with bowie-knives. My arrival, An
tome stated, had caused them some un
easiness, as | 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 /, is chance for me TO
play the part of peacemaker; and
there and then, through the medium of
Antoine, as interpreter, my work began.
The aggrieved parties were brought to-
gether, and the folly and madness Of
proceeding to extremes strongly repre-
sented My eloquence prevailed, mutual
explanations followed, the Mexicans
shook hands, and friendship was appa-
rently 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 a most remarkable growth next
morning.


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 property belonging to me, viz:
large-sized six-shooter, with white
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 beau
tiful 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 revolver |
for one that he had and six ounces of |
gold dust into the bargain.


Despite the effects 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
racking headache.


Looking around l could see my COM
panions of the night, whom | had left
playing monte, each wrapped in his
blanket and to judge from their heavy
breathing, all 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
square meal from the stunted and
scorched grass within the range of his
tether. To blanket and saddle him was
the work Of few minutes, and we were
soon galloping rapidly away without as
much as saying goodbye to single one
of the party.


! had not gone more than mile or
two, however, before became conscious
that some one was riding hard in pur.
suit; or, at least, coming a. furious
gait from the direction of the camp. A
sharp bend in the road brought the
horseman into full view, and glance
served 10 show me it was none other
than the ugly-lookiug customer with
whom had swapped pistols the night
before. My first impulse was TO draw
my six-ShoOter. But, horror | saw in
stantly il was not lOadedl The next
movement was to strike the spurs into
the TANKS of poor Gringo," deter
mined on a race for life. Looking back,
the swarthy Mexican could be plainly
Eeen urging his horse with lash and ,
spur, while 10 add to my terror he was
brandishing my whIte-handled revolver
over his head in most threatening I
manner un lIlN ,,I.IuHI .llI.


At last, in utter despair Of escape, l
threw myself from the saddle and sought
safety by taking 20 the brush. Too q
late too latel The Mexican with the I
hideous soar, and his horse covered with
foam, was upon me in an instant. But
j had sense enough left and courage e.
enough, too, not TO give up life without
one desperate Struggle So, clubbing
the old six-shooier, raised my hand
to strike just as the big Mexican rushed
upon nc. When within few feet Of
where ] stood, however, be suddenly {
jerked his horse back upon his launches, \
and then a wild laugh rang through the Q
wood, loud enough 70 be heard a mile
away. Tho fellows eyes fairly rolled in
his head as be looked at me, while he r
shouied and laughed as il his sides would I,
split


A few minutes sutfieed to put things
in their true light, although / could not 8
speak word Of Spanish and be was al a
most equally ignorant Of English. He
Il H..