The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-07-17

l "S"Poh' Nv urSt WIS Win pistols, the
second with rifles, the third with double
barelled SHOT guns, and the fourth with
bowie.kpives; and singular as it may seem,
every combat resulted in immediate death
to his opponent, while he cane off without
even mark of lead or steel. Besides, ne
was compelled to defend himself in as many
/ private encounters from mrirderous assaults
made by the friends and relatives of his
victims. In fact, having once declared war,
and proclaimed himself peer among the
4 braves of the wild frontier, like Napoleon
he bad no alternative but to fight it out TO
4 the end. II is no wonder then it. ut length,
ne contracted an Unsuitable passion for
blood, and thattempcstuous strife and fiery
excitement became the only elements in
which he could support his bitter burden
of existence. With slight alteration in
the circumstances, he realized the terrible
story Of the emigrant to California, who
was imprisoned, during one long winter, by
walls of drifted snow within gorge of the
Rocky Mountains, and who was forced for
subsistence to prey upon the flesh of his
companions, until he formed an appetite for
this horrible food, and actually loathed
every other article of diet! Thus the des-
perado becomes a sort of caunibal. Alhis
thoughts and reveries are tinged with
crimson, and his very dreams at night are
clouded with the smoke of battle and smell
OF the charnol house! lie sleeps with load
ed weapons beneath his pillow; ho wears
thom IN his bosom and near rs possible TO
his heart; ho talks to them as friends in
terms of unspeakable fondness; ho calls
them beloved names, lie sometimes kisses
them, and often swears by :hem. Such
was the affection Of Captain Turner for the
duelling pistols which he had used in his
earliest combat Ie had also practicod
with them SC effectually that he could bring
down the swiftcst bird on the wing, snuff
out candle at twenty PAGES, or split a bul
let at twelve upon the blade of pen knife;
and so fearful was his celebrity, that even
men of the most unquestionabIe courage
would turn pale at the least frown which
appeared on the uneven surface of his fore
head.
This arch-duellist had scarcely uttered
the last word recorded in the previous par.
agrapb, when his cohnpaTuon of tho hawks
profile said, in tremulous whisper
Hush! he is coming this way"
"Let hiln comc," answered Turner Ia.
conically; and his countcnauce wrilhed
again with that strange smile of murderous
meaning.
|, The moment afterwards, young Thorn
ton advanced towards the bar, with his
proud, defiant tread, and glancng around
! upon the ,hrnng with stern look Of calm
! determinaiion-lor he had overheard some
| disconnected, but offensive words, and was
conscious that himself and his wife had
been the objects Of impertinent curiosity,
as he conducted her to their state room, and
the purpose OF this DECENTRALIZATION was TO
ascertain if any one lelt disposed TO ierate
the insult when he was not embarrassed
by the care Of a lady. He had approached
very near The upper end of the cabin, aud
was in the act of passing out on the boiler.
deck, when Ito caught the fierce eyes of the
duellist fixed upon him with an expression
that, for the instant, caused him to shudder
in spite of his reckless bravery The feel.
ing, however, vanished Immediately, with
out even displaying any token of its exist
ence on his features; and he paused and
confronted the desperate with look of
iotly and cool daring, which would have
done credit 10 one of the worlds great
generals in.the crisis OF victory or defeat
1t said as plainly as the counlenance
could speak Ill the mute language of natu-
ral. signs: "l defy you. and | defy death al
so."--tor IN unerrIng instinct, such as be
longs to all animals in similar situations.
assured him that although the other was
a stranger, he stood i'll the presence Of a
mortal euemy.
1t was truly curious sight to watch
these two men thus gazing into each others
eyes, and, as it were, silently pledging
themselves TO the deadlest of all issues
for they had already arranged such a meet
ing in their minds before either had spoken
a word. There was, however, vast dif
ference in the respective appearances of
these tacit antagonists. The face Of Thorn
ton was firm, martial, overilowing with
magnanimity rs well as courage, and alto.
gether unpolIutcd by the dark signs Of any
base or malevolent passion. The visa5e of
Turner Wa writing with its awful smile,
his grey eyes were tingcd with lurid, green
ish rays, such as flash from the ghttering
orbs OF the onraged rattlesnake; and his
whole aspect seemed such as fiend might
be supposed to wear when about to seize
upon soul lost TO light and life forever
more.
Turner was the first to speak, and he in
quired in sarcastic tones-"My dear sir,
will you be so good rs to inform rne whcth-
er that pretty girl, that You appear inclined
to monopoliGe, is your sister, your wife, or
your mistressl"
The answer was not only prompt, but
| powerful. 1t consisted OF sudden and
terrible kick from the boot-heel of young
Thoruton in tho mouth of tho rude qucs
toner, as ho sat half reclined in his chair.
The unexpected shock Ioosenod several Of
his front teeth, caused the blood to stream
from his lips and nose, aud sent him spraw
ling ut full lengtl along the floor. Instant
ly all was confusion and wild uproar. The
crowd rushed ntoa dense circle around tho