IN THE OLD WEST 91 



other. They were both armed with heavy rifles, 

 and had the usual hunting pouches, containing 

 ammunition, hanging over the shoulder. Stand- 

 ing with the butts of their rifles on the ground, 

 they confronted each other ; and the crowd, draw- 

 ing away a few paces only on each side, left one 

 man to give the word. This was the single word 

 " fire ; " and after this signal was given, the com- 

 batants were at liberty to fire away until one or 

 the other dropped. 



At the word, both the men quickly raised their 

 rifles to the shoulder; and whilst the sharp cracks 

 instantaneously rang, they were seen to flinch, as 

 either felt the pinging sensation of a bullet enter- 

 ing his flesh. Regarding each other steadily for 

 a few moments, the blood running down La Bonte's 

 neck from a wound under the left jaw, whilst his 

 opponent was seen to place his hand once to his 

 right breast, as if to feel the position of his 

 wound, they commenced reloading their rifles. 

 But as Pete was in the act of forcing down the 

 ball with his long hickory wiping-stick, he sud- 

 denly dropped his right arm the rifle slipped 

 from his grasp and, reeling for a moment like 

 a drunken man, he fell dead to the ground. 



Even here, however, there was law of some kind 

 or another ; and the consequences of the duel were, 

 that the constables were soon on the trail of La 

 Bonte to arrest him. He easily avoided them; 

 and, taking to the woods, lived for several days in 



