Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-11-20

Indeed, an ominous murmur arose from
all parts of the hall. "The man is fool, ,
observed one. "He will cut his wisdom
teeth before the day is an hour older," adde,
another. wont Bill swear the very devi
out of his den when he finds the knight o
the Mexican blanket in his arm chair," ex
claimed third. 81 would rather sit on ths
brink of burning crater" affirmed the
fourth.
The General and Captain both whispered
to their friend to retire, but he refused even
as much as to answer their request, anc
they moved to different table, hoping thai
the duelist, when he should enter, would re-
gard the intrusion of single stranger as
merely acc idental, and pass il over as such
Soon q middle aged person, in gold spec
tacles, approached the young ranger, and
touching his rainbow blanket, inquired with
an aspect Of withering girony-"My dear boy
will you excuse my curiosity, but is this
pretty thing you wear with SO much grace
really bullet proofs
"You are welcome to try the experiment
whenever you like" answered Ben in calm
voice.
at will be tried quicker than you expect" "
remarked the other, turning to the counter
for glass Of wine.
Presen several footsteps resounded at
the door, accompanied by shout of laughter,
and score Of v1sages grew palld with agi-
tation at the bare idea of the coming scene,
as general whisper announced-"There
he is! God pity the poor Texanr"
At the instan; French Bill entered, and
called al the bar Tor champagne and boiled
chicken. General Henderson and Captain
! Hays gazeG upon the notorious duelist, and
/ started, in spite of their GOODNESS and cour-
| age. at the extraordinary ferocity of his ap-
. pearance. He was a man of herculean
frame, and seemingly endowed with fab
ulous strength, if one might Judge by his
enormous breadth and bone, and the swell
| ing volumes Of sinews about his joints, that
! looked like bundles OF stee fbres, from his
( tirmness and elasticity. His countenance
was Concealed by perfect jungle Of black
haf-all save the dagger-like blazing dark
! eyes, and long nose. crooked as the beak
OF an eagle. Wherever bis gaudy dress al
/ lowed it to be seen, the sable bristling hair
showed itself all over him, even to the end
OF his fingers. In fine, he resembled a wild
beast, clad in the costume of Frenchman.
The proprietor of the saloon whispered
something in the ear Of the savage, and, ut
tering half-stifled cry OF mingled astDnish-
ment and rage, he turned his eyes tow ards
the marble table where the young ranger
sat reading. apparently in state of pro-
found abstraction. Murderous passion shook
the quivering bosom OF the bully like an
electric storm, as he walked with a tread
Ike that OF an elephant across the floor and
seated himself opposite the intruder at his
usual place. He then snatche1 the news
paper from the others hand, and glanced
around at the spectators with triumphant
look, which impied-"You see how insult
him, and how he takes u!''
Ben Cullum looked at him with a smile
of imperturbable tranquility.but spoke not
syllable. "W nat can he mean," murmur I'll
Hays 10 Henderson. 81 never saw him be-
lore receive voluntary wrong so calmly"
Ere ch Bill then jerked the Mexican blan-
ket from the shoulder of the youth, and,
throwing it down, put his foot upon it, Ut
tering at the same time q low chuckle, that
sounded hoarse as The laugh of iend!
The ranger slightly colored, and gazed
with the same singular smile into the eyes
of the duelisi, as if he would vanquish him
by a look.
Coward and william" vociferated the
bully, "if you have spark of manhood in
your poltroon's heart, $40" us how they re-
sent insults in Texas"
Then, quiak as a flash of lightning from
thunder cloud, Ben Cullum bounded to his
feet. and grasping French Bills nose with
one hand his long black beard with the
other, opened his jaws. and discharged a
volley of tobacco juice into his mouth, and
Immediately hurled him upon the floor as
easily as ii he had been infant.
In a moment the duelist arose, foaming
at me lips, grinding his teeth and bowling
for the satisfac tion of a gentleman.
"You shall have the satisfaclion'of devil,
as you are," illuminated the ranger. "Let
US cross the lake and settle the issue with
! bogie knives.'
"Bowie knives." repeated the Frenchman,
with a countenance of unmitigated horror
Bowie knives are weapons recogn zed by
the code OF honor
"Bowie knves!" echoed he-saiellites of
| the Jenny Lind saloon for ladies and gen.
| tIemen Bowie knives are the weapons
OF savages!"
"Are they indeed!" exclaimed the Texan,
with terrible laugh. Then this is the
crowd to try their steel!'' ard he drew from
his bosom glittering blade nearly two feet
! in length, and rushed towards his foes.
But none of them thought it advisable to
wait for the result of the experiment. With
pale lips and frightened cries, the entire
throng took to their heels, French Bill lead
ing the rout, and calling for the police in
Mortified accents. And from that day Tor
ward the bulies and gamblers OF the Cres-
cent City have manifested the utmost res
pect for the rainbow tints of Mexican
blanket.