Early in the evening of the same day, Slade, instigated by the demon of whiskey, provoked a fight with Jack Gallagher, which, had not by-standers disarmed the combatants, would have had a fatal termination. Soon after this was over I saw him enter the California Exchange, accompanied by two friends whom he invited to drink with him. When in the act of raising their glasses, Slade drew back his powerful arm and struck the one nearest him a violent blow on the forehead. He fell heavily to the floor. Slade left immediately, and the man, being raised, recovered consciousness and disappeared. Slade returned in a few moments with another friend whom he asked to drink, and struck down. Again he went out, and soon came in with another whom he attempted to serve in the same manner, but this man rose immediately to his feet. Slade was foiled by the interference of by-standers, in the attempt to strike him again. Turning on his heel, his eye caught mine. I was standing a few feet from him by the wall. He advanced rapidly towards me, and, expecting an assault, I assumed a posture of defence. Greatly to my surprise, he accosted me civilly, and throwing his arm around me, said jocosely,
“Old fellow! You didn’t think I was going to cheat you out of that lumber, did you?”
He then asked me to drink. I respectfully declined.
“It’s all right,” said he, and walked away.
I met him afterwards several times during the evening, but he said nothing more.
Nine years after these occurrences, in July, 1872, I went from Helena to Fort Hall by coach, to accompany the United States Geological Survey, under charge of Dr. Hayden, to the National Park. Dan Johnson, the driver from Snake River to the fort, being unwell, and having a vicious horse in his team, asked my assistance, and I drove for him to the station. We fell into a desultory conversation, and Dan’s reserve wearing off, he gave me a look of recognition from under the broad rim of his hat, abruptly exclaiming,
“If I’m not much mistaken, I’ve seen your face before.”
“Very likely. I’ve passed over the line many times.”
“That’s not it. It’s a long time since I have seen you, and I have got you mixed up with some old recollections of Virginia City, as long ago as 1863.”
“I was there a good portion of the time during the Fall of that year.”