The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-10-10

does who is about to leave civilized for a
barbagous country. Thus far, however be
had penetrated in safety 10 within sixty
miles Of his destinations and was now wait.
ing at Major Lawson's hotel for the mail
stage, which was expected in few hours,
or days, as the state Of the roads and other
contingencies might determine. AS we have
found him in rather dangerous company il
it may not be arniss 80 add word respecting
his qualifications, in case of row. His
height did hot exceed five feet ten, and
none Of his proportions were large; but he
was symmetrcally built, possessed great
strength and greater agility; and was, more
over, scientific pugilist. On the whole,
notwithstanding their great disparity in size,
worse antagonist might have been found
for the redoubtcd Merrwether Gamble.
We left that gentleman standing in the
doorway of the bar-room, and looking most
rantancorously, as Kentuckan would say,
upon the terrified company. Having waited
about two miuutes, possibly. in receiving an
answer 10 his first interrogation, he thus de-
livered himself Of his opinions on things in
general.
$50 you're all quiet now. You were ma
king noise enough just now, when came
in. Wh,t's the, matter? P'raps you don't
know me?" Ihe tountenances Of all ex.
pressed that they sincerely wished they did
not .Pm Morriwether Gamble, the great
estfeam in the district. Pm perfect steam
boat with a considerable sprinking of the
comet. | can knock down and drag out
whole regiment, whip my weight in Indians,
swallow Buffalo whole, and pick my teeth
with the horns. And IT'S nv opinion that
you're all set of cowards." With which
PRACTICAL application of his somewhat desuj-
Tory remarks, the bully elected a torrent of
tobacco-juice across the room, directly upon
the polished boot OF the New-Yorker, who
involuutarly shook his foot as man might
do who had stepped into puddle.
The rest Of the company were not sorry
to see the insult, which had been offered TO
all present, thus particularly fxei upon the
stranger, who was thus bound to to take up
the quarrel; but they very much doubted if
he would show fight. They had not long to
doubt. Schuyler rose from his seat, and ad-
vancing close 10 the huge ruffian, asked, in
a cool and unmpassioned tone:
"Did you ndend to spit on nay boot, sir? -
Gamble appeared speechless with aston
ishmeni and rage.
." ask, did you intend to spit on my boot,
sr?n
"spit on your boot! I'll spit in your face
next time!"
Very possibly he might have proceeded to
put his threat into execution; but if such
was his intention, Schuyler gave him no time
to perform it, for on receiving the above re-
sponse, he instantly planted his fist with all
the emphasis he could command, full in the
Georgian's chest. So energetically and
skiith,lly was the blow given, that the giant
reeled back, and, with scarcely an effort to
save himself, topped over on the floor.
Han this result been brought abou, by a
miracle, the company could no. have been
more stupi6ed-that the strongest man they
had ever seen should be knocked down at
one blow by fellow who seemed hardly a
mouthful for him! But they had no long
space for their wondering cogitations; ror
Gamble suddenly sprung from the floor with
iger-ike bound, and throwing himself
headlong on Schuyler, bore him down at
once. Then followed oaihs, and paintings
and rapidly nterchanged blows, and a pre-.
cipitate scatteration of the bystanders right
and left, as the combattants rolled over and
ovel on the floor in mortal struggle.
There was a pause in the conflict. Both
had risen to their knees; neither endeavored
to regain his feet, or overthrow the other
but Schuyler was evidently trying to draw
bis dirk, and Gamble was clearly endeavor
ing TO draw his Bowe-knife.
! AT length the Ge organ having freed bis
right arm, raised it over his head, as if to
chop down his antagonist with his clenchec
| fist. Such, however, was not his intention.
In moment the bright blade of his weapon
glanced in the air, and muiterino fearful
oath, he made deadly stab at the other
Schuyler caught his opponents wrist, and
turned the knife aside; its point entered the
floor, and it snapped in two.
Furious at the loss of his weapon, Gam
lily suddenly caught his antagonist by thu
throat with both hands, and casing his hug,
weight upon him, hurled him back helpless
ly TO the floor. Il was perlous time 70
Schuyler. With one hand upon his breast
the savage held him down; the other wa
twisted in his flowing black curls, and ,b
long thumb nail was under hi
eye. "He's gouged!" exclaimed the host
when suddenly the fallen man jerked up hi
knees, and fairly sent his bully enemy owe
his head in complete somerset. A sbou
Of appreciation broke from all present. Th