98 ON THE FRONTIER. 



ladies of the community having nearly all come there under 

 the protection of low gamblers, Mexican horse-thieves, Texan 

 outlaws, Yankee absconders, et al., the morals of the place 

 were decidedly " mixed." 



There were some queer incidents always happening. For 

 instance, there had been a^srow over a game of cards no 

 unusual thing and of course there was no getting at the 

 particulars. Everybody told a different tale ; but one thing 

 was certain, it had led to a " free-fight," and a man had been 

 killed. Well, it turned out deceased had no friends and no 

 money. When 'the man who had knived him heard that, he ; 

 expressed his. sorrow, adding to prove he bore no animosity 

 to the departed he did not mind "standing" a first-class 

 funeral for him, which he really did, and attended himself in 

 the character of chief mourner. 



