FAIR PLAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2164, 22 May 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

FAIR PLAY.

" Git up." It wat in 1865, down in front of Grant's army, and I was a mile or so outnido of the Union picket*, having been out on .1 scout. In making my way back I had been followed pretty closely by half-a-dozen Confederate!?, and had eluded them by hiding in a thicket. After an hours rest I was creeping along on hands and knees towards the nearest field fence, when the above command reached my ear, and a "reb" stepped into view from behind a large tree. •' Yank, in coarse ?" he queried, as he looked me over, holding his carbine ready for a shot. I nodded in the affirmative. "How are you heeled ?" I have a navy revolver in znj belt, and I showed it to htm. He threw down his carbine, drew a navy from his own belt, and, coming quite close to me, he said : " Yank, one of as has got to die ! A week ago some of you'uns »et the cabin afire and turned my poor old mother out into the fields to die. I swore on her grave that I would kill the first Yank I could draw a bead on, and you are my man." "Are you going to shoot a prisoner down in cool blood ?" " That ain't Silas Curtis — not much ! !s'• ten paces — one — two — three— fire. You fhall have fair play." " You mean ire shall fight a duel ?" " Sorter one. I expect you'll nhoot at me and roiss, and I'll shoot at you and put a ball into your head. I'm no bushwhacker to shoot a mun down without a nhow, but I'm dead certain to kill you, all the same." We backed away from each other. The woods were fairly open, and when we had thirty feet between us there w«8 no obstruction to deflect a bullet or annoy the eye. " All ready, Yank {•" " Yes." II I'll bo fair. You may do the counting. Good-bye to you, for I'm a dead Hhot." « One— two— three— fire." The two pistols made ono report, but as the noioe filled my ears I went down. I was bewildered -^half unconscious— but realised that I was hurt. " Shoo, now, but I just raked his scalp '." I heard the man say as he bent over me. " Say Yank, we must have another shot. You cut powerful clo-»e to my ear, and mebbe I dodged a bit. Come, fair play, ye know." I tried to rise, but fell back, and at that moment two bushwhackers pu&hed out of the woods and came runniug up. I heard load talking, oaths, threats, and a bullet from a pistol tore through tho cloth on my shoulder. Then I must have fainted, for the next thing I remembered was of being earned on the man's back through the woods. When ho felt me moving he laid me down and asked : " Say, Yank, how far is it to your lines P" " About a mile from whore wo fought. '' " Straight north ?" - Yei." '• Because those bushwhackers was bent on killing yon, and to see fair play I had to plant 'era both. Reckon I ain't ne> more business in the Confederacy after this. Reckon Uncle Sam won't be any ■wus on mo nor Jeff Davis. Yank, kin ye hang to my neck h" " Yes." II All right. Keep this 'ere handkerchief sorter waving as a signal to your picket", and I'll carry ye safe as an ambulance." And clinpring to the back of tho man who had thirsted for my blood, I was soon insido the lines, and Sam whs explaining to the pickets : "No, I h.jin't no deserter. I've been sorter driven in here because Silas Curti> wili see fair play if it takos a leg."