LIFE IN THE FAB WEST 59 



hunting-pouches, containing ammunition, hanging over 

 the shoulder. Standing with the butts of their rifles 

 on the ground, they confronted each other; and the 

 crowd drawing 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 combatants 

 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 instan- 

 taneously rang, they were seen to flinch, as either felt 

 the pinging sensation of a bullet entering his flesh. 

 Kegarding each other steadily for a few moments, the 

 blood running down La BontS'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 suddenly 

 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 Bont6 to 

 arrest him. He easily avoided them ; and taking to 

 the woods, lived for several days in as wild a state as 

 the beasts he hunted and killed for his support. 



Tired of this, he at last resolved to quit the country, 

 and betake himself to the mountains, for which life he 

 had ever felt an inclination. 



