The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-06-17
Adventure in 4 Stage-Cozch.

uc idtc CcicUTdtcO MI. Otstf WslS lndIl
of great resolution and considerable dar-
ing. He once told the following anecdote
to frienl OF ours. Travelling, in early
manhood, in public conveyance in a
South Eastern States. he found himself in
the company of three other persons, con-
sisting of a young lady and gentleman, her
husband and of an individual muff1cd up
in cloak, whose countenance was con-
cealed. and who appeared to be indulging
in ete-a-tete with Morpheus. Sudden
ly, a big brawny Kentuckian got into the
coach smoking u cigar. and frowned
fercely around, as much as to say, I'm
half horse, half alligator; the yaller flower
of the forest, all birthstone [ ut the head
and ears. and that's aquafortis.' In fact
he looked as savage as meat axe, and
pulled forth huge volumes of smoke with.
out reference to the company within
especially of the lady, who manifested GER
tain timd symptoms of annoyance.
Presently, after some whispering, the
gentleman with her in the politest accents,
requested the stranger not to smoke, as it
annoyed his companion. The fellow an
swered, ;. reckon I've paid my pace
I'll smoke as much as | darn please,
and all creation shan't stop me no
how With that lie looked dangerous,
and rolled his eyes round as fiercely as a
rattlesnake. 1t was evident he had no
objection to quarrel, and that if it occur
red it was likely to lead to deadly strug-
gle. The young man who had spoken to
him shrunk back and was silent. Clay
felt his gallantry aroused. lie considered
for moment whethtr he should inter
tere; but experienced natural reluctance
to draw upon himself the brutal violence
OF his gigantic adversary. In that lawless
country. he knew his life might he sacri-
iced unlveasel. H. knew himself plysi-
cally uneq lal 20 the contast,and he thou cit
after all, it was not his business Quixoticai-
ly to take up another mans quarrel.
Feeling pity for the insulled, and dis
gust for the insLlter, he determined to take
no notice when, very quietly indeed the
cloaked figure in the corner assumed an
upright position, and the mantle was sui.
tered to fall from it without eff or cx-
citement. The small but sinewy frame
of a man, plainly dressed IN tightly but
toned frock coat, with nothing remarkable
about his appearance, was seen, and Il pair
Of bright grey eyes sought the fierce optics
Of the fcrocious kentuckian Without u
word, this "lay-.igure' passed his hand I'M
der his collar at the back of his neck, and
slowly and deliberately pulled forth a long
extremely long-and glittering knife
from its sheath in that singular place.
stranger he said, my name is Col.
James Bowie, we'll known in Arkansas
and Louisiana, and if you don't put that
cigar out ofthe window in a quarter of a
minute, I'll put this knife through your
bowels as sure as death"
Clay said he never forgot in after life
the expression Of the Colonel's eyes at that
moment. The predominant impression
made upon him was the certainty of the
threat being fulfilled. and apparently the
same conviction impressed Itself ere long
upon the offender. During two or three
seconds his eye met that of Bowie He
was the weaker. and he quailed. With u
curse, he tore the cigar from between his
teeth, and flung it, scowling, but downcast
out OF the coach window Upon this.
Colonel Jaincs Bowie as Deliberately re-
placed his long knife in its eccentric hiding
place. and without saying word to any
one else, or even vouchsafing glance at
any one. re-folded his cloak around him.
and did not utter another syllable to the
end of the journey-New Quarterly Re
REG. H 0
a NOBLE SCAvENGER. since the DAYS
when Enaminndas swent tho ctraatc of