58 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



positions at either end of a space marked for the purpose, at forty 

 paces from each other. They were both armed with heavy rifles, 

 and had the usual hunting-pouches, containing ammunition, hang- 

 ing 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, while the sharp cracks instantaneously rang, they 

 were seen to flinch, as either felt the pinging sensation of a bullet 

 entering his flesh. Regarding each other steadily for a few mo- 

 ments, the blood running down La Bonte's neck from a wound 

 under the left jaw, while 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 Bonte 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 in- 

 clination. 



When, therefore, he thought the oflicers of justice had grown 

 slack in their search of him, and that the coast was comparatively 

 clear, he determined to start on his distant expedition to the Far 

 West. 



