Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-05-25
A SCENE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

JAMES BowIE-THE DUELIsT.-On the eve-
ming of the 4th of June, 1885, the steamboat
" Rob Roy" started from st. Louis to New Or
leans with crowd of passengers. Immediate
y after "getting good headway," to adopt IA
vorite back-woods phrase one person attracted
universal attention with the annoying eagerness
with which he endeavored to make up party
at cards. Indeed his oft repeated and perseve-
ring efforts TO that end soon became insulting
and uncomfortable and yet his appearance was
such as to deter the bravest on board from ad-
ministerng the chastisement he so justly de-
served. He was huge mass of mighty bones
and muscles, with swarthy features bearing the
impress of many scar, piercing black eyes,
that seemed to possess the power of blasting
the beholder-cold cleaning eyes, such as taunt
the memory painfuly rank luxuriance of
coal black hair, immense whiskers and NOUS
tache. The savage looking figure was habited
in the costliest clothing, and adorned with pro-
fusion of jewelry, while the outlines of several
murderous weapons were plainly distinguish
able beneath his gaudy vest and superfne coat.
Nor did he need these to render him an object
of terror. A connoisseur in the science of bel
ligerent gymnastics would have confidently pro-
pounced him a match for any FIVE men on the
deck without any aid from lead or cold steel.
on wealthy young merchant of Matches, to
Join him at game of poker" They sat down
at small table near the bar, and were soon alb
sorbed in the most perous of all excitements,
of which the two alIuring ingredients are the
vanity and pride Of individual skill, and the un-
certainty of general hazard. At first the stakes
were small, and the run Of cards seemed who'll
" in favor Of the merchant but presently they
bet more freely, and gold eagles and hundred
dollar notes were showered down on the board
with extravagant ardor; and the current OF for
tune changed-ebbed away from the young mer-
chant, and flowed to the professional gambler,
in stream like the oceans tide. AS usually
happens in such cases, his want of success only
piqued and maddeDed the loser, and he sought
TO recover himself by venturng such desperate
ventures as could not but deepen and confirm
his ruin. And thus they continued during thot
long summer night. The intensity of their ex-
ctement became equivalent to insanity. Every
nerve was strung-every energy of the brain
was taxed to the utmost--their teeth were set
as those of antagonists in mortal strife--the
sweat rolled from their brows like the great
drops of rain.
The passengers formed circle around the
PLAYERS and looked on with that interest which
extraordinary concentration of intellect and pas
sion never fails to inspire in bosoms that shud-
der at the excess. The merchant and the gam
bier attracted all eyes, and kept many awake by
gazing till morning. Among the latter was
one presenting countenance so piteous that it
might have melted hearts of marble to tears.
pale and exquisitely beautiful face peeped in
cessanty from the ladies' cabin, weeping all
the while as if oppressed by some dreadful sem
sation of immediate sorrow. 1t was the mer-
chants lovely wife weeping her farewell to de-
parting hope!
There was one spectator, also whose appear
ance and actions excited almost as much curios-
ity as the players did themselves. He was a
tall, spare man, of about thirty, with handsome
features, golden hair, keen blue eyes, of prefer
natural brightness, and his firm thin lips wore a
perpetual smile-a mysterious smile, of the
strangest, the mostinscrutable meaning With
the exception of his red calico shirt, his person
was dressed wholly in buckskn, ornamented
with long, flowing tassels. and with figures
wrought out of variegated beads, after the fash
ion of some western Indians. He stood close
beside the card table, and he held in his LETT
hand sheet of paper, in his right large pen
Gil, with which, ever and anon he dashed few
words as if engaged in tracing the progress OF
the game. ali5J lfal g., I.l,u.s f.gty olii -,
Still the merchant and gambler persevered in
their physical and mental toll The dial OF the
stars with its'thousand fingers Of golden fire
poipted 10 the world shadows of midnight; but