once, that you cannot have my horse!" cried Fred,
firmly and decidedly; "will you have the extreme goodness to let him
alone?"

"Look here, you cussed counter-jumper," roared the bully; "if you utter
another word, I'll make you eat the hoss and saddle, and then boot you
out of town in the bargain. I'm going to have a ride; so stand aside,
and don't interfere with me."

He was walking off with the animal, when Fred laid his hand upon the
halter. The ruffian turned suddenly, and aimed a blow at Fred's head
that would have crushed his skull, had he not quickly avoided it, and
allowed the huge fist to pass within a few inches of his face.

The impetus of the blow turned the bully half round, so that he exactly
faced Fred, and for a moment he was off his guard; that opportunity was
improved by my friend, who saw his advantage.

Quick as lightning, I saw Fred's right hand raised, and with a "square
shoulder hit," such as would have felled an ox, he let it fall full upon
Bully's face. I saw the dark blood spurt out from beneath the eye of
Pete, and I heard a crunching sound, as though bones were broken; but
before I had time to think, the ruffian staggered, swung his arms aloft,
and pitched heavily to the earth.

"By G----d, that was a Yankee blow," yelled a rough-looking genius, who
had regarded the scene with great composure during the war of words.
"Them fellers is Yankees, and my countrymen, and they is going to have
fair play if I can get it. Stand back, all of you, and let us have this
thing out. Bob," our new ally said, speaking to a friend, "you just run
down to the Californe Saloon, and tell the boys a Yankee is in trouble,
and needs help; and mind and tell 'um that they needn't stop to draw the
charge of their revolvers."

The person addressed as Bob hastened from the spot; but before I could
reward our new friend with a word of thanks, Pete, who had lain as if
stunned for a few moments, began to show signs of reviving.

"We must look out for his pistol," said our rough friend, stepping from
the crowd, and approaching me. "He will be certain to use it if he is
not too groggy."

The words were prophetic; for hardly had the fallen man looked around,
after rubbing his eye, when the whole transaction appeared to flash upon
his mind.

"I have been struck," he yelled, springing to his feet, and stamping the
ground in his rage. "Where is the man that dared to lay a hand upon me?
Show him to me, and his blood sha