The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-03-10
American Travel.

The late celebrated Mr.. Clay was man of
great resolution and considerable daring. He
once told the following anecdote TO friend Of
ours:
Travelling, in early manhood, in public con.
veyance in a southeastern State, he found himself
in the company of three other persons, consisting
Of young lady and gentleman, her husband, and
of an individual mul1ied up in cloak whose
countenance was concealed, and who appeared to
be indulging IN ete-a-tete with Morpheus
Suddenly big, brawny Kenuckian go; into
the coach, smoking cigar, and frowned fercey
around. as much as to say: " I'm half horse half
alligator; the yellow flower of the forest, all brm
stone but the head and ears, and that's aquafortis.
In fact, he looked as savage as meat.axe, and
pulled forth huge volumes of smoke, without efer
ence OF the lady, who manifested certain timid
symptoms Of annoyance. Presently, after some
Whispering the gentleman with her, in the poiitest
accents, requested the stranger not to smoke, as il
annoyed his companion. The fellow answered :
" | reckon I've paid my place. I'll smoke as much
darn please; and all hell shan't stop me no
how" With that he looked dangerous, and rolled
his eyes round as fercely ratiie-sDake. 1t
evident he had no objection to a quarrel, and
that: if it occurred, it likely to lead to dead
Iy struggle. The young man who had spoken to
him shrunk back and was silent.
Clay felt his gallantry aroused. He consider
ed for moment whether he should interfere, bot
experienced natural reluctance 10 draw upon
himself the brutal violence Of his gigantic advrrsa-
ry. In that lawless country he knew his life might
be sacrificed unavengcd. He knew himself ply
scally unequal to the contest and he thought al
ter all, il not his business quxotcalIy TO take
up another mans quarrel. Feeling pity for the
insulted and disgust toward the insulter he deter
mined to take no notice when, very quietly in
deed, the cloaked figure in The corner assumed
an upright position, and the mantle was suffered
to fall from it without effort or excitement. The
small but snewy form Of man, plainly dressed
in tightly -bultoned frock coat, with nothing re.
markahle about his appearance, was seen, and
pair OF bright gray eyes sought the fierce optics
of the ferocous Kentuckan. Without a word
this =" lay figure passed his hand beneath his
collar at the back ofhs neck, and slowly and de.
Iiberately pulled forth long and gIittering knife
from its sheath in that singular place ''Stran-
gel" he said, my name is Colonel James Bowie, |
well known n Arkansas and Louisiana and i'll
you don't put that cigar out Of the window in q
quarter of minute, I'll put this knife through
your bowels sure as death.'
Clay SAID he never forgot in after life the express
sion OF The colonel's eye at that moment. The |
predominant impression made upon him was the |
certainty of the threat being fulfilled; and appar-
emily the same conviction impressed itselfere long
upon the offender during the two or three seconds
his eyes met that OF Bowie. lie was the weaker, !
and he quaed. With he tore the cigar |
rom between his teeth, and flung it, scowling but
]owncast, out of the coach window.
Upon this Colonel James Bowie as deliberately
epfaced his long knife in its exceEtric hiding place.
md, without saying word to any one, even
'ouchsafng glance at any one, reloded his cloak
round him, and did not utter another syllable TO
he end OF the journey.
Nea0 Quarterly Reviea1. .tor January.