Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-05-11
cLARKsBURG, WEDNESDAY, 81

tone, but the Mexican seemed to know
his man, and with slight shudder of
fear and disgust, he did as he was COM
manied; and he was not to be accused of
cowardice, for many a brayer man than
he had turned pale at the dreaded name
of Tom Prichards. the far famed and
bloody duelist.
81 presume that stand in the pre-
sence of Col. Prichards," said the officer
with low bow.
81 presume you do" said Prichards
with a hoarse laugh. And may inquire
your business with me received a
note from General Herara, your worship
full master, requesting me TO be upon this
spot. and at this hour. as he had some
business to transact with me; and am
so used to being punetual in my dueling
appointments, that you see am here TO
the moment. Did you ever fight duel.
fellow 2"
mo, 1 never did, and by all the saints
in the calender. / never will,' said the
officer firmly. @
Then You are a coward, and deserve
to be horsewhipped. but L will not give
it to you now. for want to know your
business with me. SO speak out and let me
hear"
"Why you know, sir, that your coun-
try and ours is at war, aud that we have
Just brought over large force to make
Texas return to her duty; and as many of
her citizens have united with us, we had
hoped to procure on the list of our con-
federales, the great name of Col. Prich.
| ards
Let me hear some of the names that
you have upon your list"
1.-The most prominent name, sir. Is that
of Robert Andrews, whose father was
killed six years ago in duel, and it ap-
pears that before he died he made his son
take an oath to avenge his death, and he
has returned with us for the purpose. of
fulfilling that oath, and he will do.it, for
ne is as fearless as tiger, and the most
powerful man l have ever seem"
Ha. exclaimed Prichards as he
sprang to hisfeet and grasped his ievol-
vers those fatal weapons that had sent
50 many souls into the presence of their
| God, with all the crimes upon their heads.
'' Ha, does the young miscreant dare
to talk of vengeance does he dare to
say that he will meet Tom Prichards for
| life or death Ikilled his father, i own
l
blood of his son shall stain the same sod
yes the same spot. L loved his sister,
he refused to let her marry me because
l was duelist, but he felt the power of
my arm, and his rebel SON shall feel the
same" and in the wild excitement of his
feelings, he seized the arm of the fright
ened Mexican in his grasp. and pressed
it with such violence that he fairly Shrek
ed with pain.
"Mon Signor forgets that 1 am not
young Andrews, said the trembling officer
as he strove in yain-to free himself from
the iron grasp of the duelist; ''he forgets
that l am u friend who has merely come
ITO bear the tidings of my superior TO him,
and pray Colonel Prichards TO release
his hold that may return"
Just then slight rustling was heard
among the boughs of the tree. as young
Andrews attempted to descend, 10 con-
front his mortal foe; but as he moved
from his place, the Indian bent toward
him and whispered. 1.-The panther springs
notIupon the buffalo till the herd is di-
vided. let the young brave wait until he
can meet his enemy upon the ground"
Andrews instantly comprehended the
danger to which he would expose him
self. by descending the tree in full view
of his enemy; and composing himself he
again bent his ear to catch the conversa-
ton that WAS going on below. "Well, fcl-
low" resumed Prichards; 81 will Join you
on one condition, and that is that you
will let me know as soon as Andrews
reaches your camp, for you say that he
is nos there now, and you shall point him
out to me, for he was mere boy when
he went TO Mexico, and l would not re-
cognize him now. Do you hear?"
sYou shall be obeyed. sir. we will give
him up to you: but how many of your
friends can you bring 10 our aid 20
About twenty. So now good bye.
and To- morrow / will be with you, and
then for vengeance upon the young ras-
cal who dares speak of me-" and mount
ing his horse, the traitor plunged his spars
into his sides, and was soon lost in the
distance, while the officer mounted, NUT
tering to himself, "a Heaven defend me
from such a beast, holy Virgin. but he has
almost broken my arm by his brutal
strength, and fear me that cannot go
through the sword exercise for week TO
come"
AS soon as they were out of sight. An
drews turned his expressive eyes to the
stoical face of his red friend, who with
his dark soul piercing eyes had been re-
garding his every movement, and now
seeming to fathOm his thoughts. said in
low, peculiar tone:
The white men drove the Indians |
from the hunting ground, but other pale
faces have come to drive them away my
brother must fight by the side of those |
who are lighting for their homes, their |
wives and their children, for his enemies
are strong on the other side. Let my