The true Democrat., 1854-06-13

sung morning, directly after sunrise. Three pistols were to be beloaded-each foe should take one and fire by turns at mark ten paces dis tant Whoever hit nearest the center should then have the remaining pistol, and shoot at his adversary's head. If he missed, the other should be entitled to shot, and so on by alter nation till one of them should fall dead. These feroclous terms were mutually settled, and the principals and seconds met accordingly on the banks of the Ohio river six miles below the Falls
 The seconds measured off ten paces and then made black spot with moistened gunpowder, about as high as mans heart, on slender oak tree. They then loaded the three pistols, hand ed one to each principal and retained the third to be gwen to the successful marksman. The antagonists then cut pack of cards for the first shot. Murray drew the queen of diamonds Menetee the ace of spades, and so won the first flre. lie immediately took his stand, turned hls right side to the tree, let the hand which grasped the weapon now at full cock, fall until the dark muzzle reached below his knee, fixed his flashing blue eyes steadily moment on the mark and then swift as thought, raised and pulled trigger. Unfortunately, the pistol chung hre,'' as it is called in the back -woods-that is the flash in the pan was seen, first and then the
 
 long like double report. Under such crcum- stances, most persons would have missed the tree; but as 1t was Menefee's bullet barely cut the upper edge of the mark An excellent shot.
 Murray now took his position He was fa- nous level shooter having previously slain three men in as many shots, sending his balls directly through their brain. He raised slowly, poised deliberate aim, stood several seconds motion less as the tree at which the muzzle of his pis- tol was pointed, and fired. The crack was short and sharp like the pealing of bell; and when the blue wreaths of curling smoke cleared away, the spot on the oak was not to be seen-the white bullet hole bored into the splintered wood occupied its place.
 The seconds then gave Murray the third pis- tol, and he stationed himself ten steps from his unarmed adversary, who in the meanwhile. seemed calm and fearless as an unconcerned spectator, without the slightest symptom of either alarm or surprise. According to the terms stipulated, Murray might choose his own time after the elevation of his weapon, to fire: and the thought appeared to cross his soul to torture his antagonist by cruel and unnecessa- ry delay. He raised his right hand gradually, and fixed a mortal aim at Menefee's head. in which posture he continued for more than two minutes. But Menefee still betrayed no emo- ton. Not nerve shook-hs face paled not shade. bitter smile of scorn writhed on his purple lip, and his gleamy blue eve, gazing hercey into that of his deadly foe, seemed to the wandering mind like a ball of fire, so intense and revengeful was its glare. At length he called out ln voice piercing and shrill as the shrek of a trumpet:
 Murray, you d--d coward, why don't you shoot? Are you afraid to shoot?''
 And whether it was the position of Murrav's arm, so long extended, affected the aim or that he became excited by the mocking taunt or was surprised at the terrible tones of his enemv:s voice, or quailed with preternatural dread be- fore the lightning of his burning blue eye, 1t is impossible to say; but at last whatever might be the cause, a remarkable change passed over his features. His cheek grew pallid-his pale lips quivered-hs hand shook He fired.- The ball merely grazed Menefee's left temple without injury.
 Then the seconds reloaded the pistol and placed 1t in the hands of Menefee, and the par ties again assumed their proper stations The youthful avenger of sisters shame waited not an instant. He was in too great hnrrv to hnlsh hls work for suspense. Quick as the flash ot sunbeam, he elevated his weapon and fired. With the roar ot the explosion without sigh or groan, Murray dropped dead in his tracks, His right eye had been shot out
 Menetee fled the country and settled in Con- way county, Arkansas. Henceforth the whole current of his thoughts and passions appeared to be changed. The earthquake of moral wrath, winch had burst up from the profound abysses of his soul, had plowed out new passage for the march of ambition-a passage c+oipoI with lt had burned with unquenchable enthusiasm to excel Tn knowledge, in variety, depth and ex- tent of attanments; now he coveted superiority only in desperate deeds-the cloudy achieve ments of brute bravery. Nor, to say the truth. could he have selected amore appropriate field in the wide world for his belligerent purposes, than with incredible fury. No man could be a lea der either in the parties of the State, or in those of county, unless he stood ready at all times to defend his principles at the point of the bowie knife and muzzle of the pistol. To enumerate all the duels fought by opposing chiefs of the different factions during that san guinary era, would stagger belief A faint idea of this barbarous state of things may be con- ceived from the astonishing fact that Arkansas has never to this day had a senator or represent tative in the councils of the nation who has not once if no more, periled his life on the so-called " field of honor." Honorable duels however, formed scarcely tithing of the combats waged. Riots, affrays and deadly rencontres by chance medley, were weekly and sometimes daily oc- currences. Dr. Menefee took hand in all and yet escaped from each without scar, till his very name grew to be thing of terror, at the sound of which even brave men trembled.- And thus he had reached the fate of his now false, and at last fatal ambition. As famous fighter" he was universally acknowledged to be without second, and that too, in a country abounding with bold spirits from every quarter of the Union. The Rectors, the Deshas Will sons, Conways-the most redoubtable hero was he of the ferocious blue eye
 It would have been curious thing to ana- lyze the motives and feelings of the terrible duelist at this period. He does not seem to have been actuated by sheer and absolute cru- city. Hedid not wield the bowie- knife for the sake of inficting pain; it was only the sharp instrument with which he cleaved his way to notoriety. He fought not so much to avenge