White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-06-04

l |AaHSu Vi prairie Ddnull--WnO, nOF0rlng over
the Santa Fe trail, with their formidable bands,
at a time when prairie commerce was in the
prime of its prosperity, thought nothing ofsway-
laying the train of Don Antonio Chavez, the
most infuentialof Mexican merchants of sack
ing the village of Mora. and killing its citizens;
or Of joining hands with p-a5e.eFy I-,.i;en. IN
.heir murderous raids. And such, also, are the
Border-Rufians Of Kansas history, the abhor-
renee, if not the fear, of all peaceably disposed
settlers, of whatever party or political creed.
These are they who have outraged the fair name
of both Northern and Southern honor and decen-
cy, and fomented collision between parties of
conflicting political sentiment, that they might
the moro easily carry on their system of rapine
and murder, and with certain IMMUNITY. These
are the horse stealers, thieves, and assassins of
Kansas-men who have, the past year, inter
cepted traders caravans, burnt, pillagedsand
massacred to their hearts content, and made
the innocent the scapegoat of their iniquities.
Never had they such a windfall as the agitation
of the slavery question, which brought novelty
and fresh material for excitement.
But we are not now to speak of the Border
Rufians of the present day. Our narrative car
ries us back to the year 1876. At that date, in
one of the border towns Of Missouri, there lived
a noted bully, by the name of Bill Blencoe-
better known as Bully Blink-eye-a sobriquet
he had received in consequence of an ugly scar
that lay across the corner of his left eve, the
lasting memento of a fray, from which he had
not come off scatheless. BiencOe was the most
dreaded duellist in the neighborhood, and his
great skill in the use of a bowie-knife or rife,
together with his wonderfully irritable nature
and soasibility to insult, made him the more for
midabls foe. He was huge, ungainly fellow,
with jaundiced complexion, that was by no
means improved by the prOfusiOn or yellowish
hair that struggled down over a forehead natu-
rally low, and half covered the eye that blinked
"a restless, wickcd-loOking optie-that always
contained mischief in its leer, or detected it in
others. These by no means amiable character
;stics, made him an object Of hate to all, and to
none less than Ben Morton, the finest lad in the
village, and an inferior shot to memo. And Why
Aa0h iii D4SAASpS piN0uAhNN W cue AoA blt
hard Of tho fair Roll May, ReR's afiianeei bride
And had not he, when she had rejected his suit,
at first beset her with opportunities. and then
attempted to defame her character in the opin-
ion Of the worId2 and he had 40 far succeeded
as to accomplish his foul purpose. The proof
was so strong, that even the once confdiag lover
was now almest convinced; and abandoning his
wopted seat at the chimney-corner of old farmer
Mays cabin, with Bell seated at his side, he now
roamed the forests, estensibly inquest of game,
but really with mind distracted and oblivious
of the worlds surroundings. He saw not the
wild buck, as it jumped from its covert across
his path; or, if he did, he saw it vanish like his
dreams Of future bliss; and as it lapsed from
sight, his heart thrObbed family within his breast
and murmured, Bella May! He needed not the
partridge, as it rose with Tisdy whirr; but as it
skinned away it rhmbled, Bella May! That
was his all-absorbing thought. The winds sighed
it, as they rustIed through the trees; the cricket
chirped it, as he laid himself down to rest at
night; the old clock licked it, and his burning
temples throbbed it. Bella May! Bella May!
faithless Bella May! Lost, lost, to the fond
heart that loved thee mere than all on earth!
Such we're his passing thoughts. But soon
"a chang. came DER the spirit of his dreams"
His proud spirit rose above his trials, and the
wrongs he had received at the hands of his loved
ones traducer. Should he sit and mourn, while
the destroyer of his hearts fondest hopes weEt
unpublished at his hands7 Should he let the viii
lain gloat in triumph over the injury he had
done, and point with scorn at him, the coward
who dare not resent it'll No! His purpose was
fixed. He no longer repined; but with heart
bursting with revenge, he vowed to follow his
foe until he should propitiate his crime with his
hearts blood.
But first he sought out the shanty of cid Ram
rod-a veteran trapper, just returned from the
head waters of the Yellow Stone and Upper
Missouri, who had come into the settlement to
dispose of his furs and peltries, in exchange for
powder and ball, and such other neeessaries as
he required, preparatory to a second expedition
among the mountains and prairies of the Far
West. To young Morton this visit of old Ram
rod was most opportune; for he knew that he
could find no better friend and adviser in this
present difficulty, than the uncle of his betrothed;
especially since he owed the bully an old grudge
for past offences.
Old Ramrod, as he was called, was one ofthat
hardy race of "mountain men," to whom it
may besaid, the great West owes its very ex-
istence, but whose palmiest days have longsince
passed away, along with the animals they hunt
ed. Possessing the same rude nature and rough
exterior as those we have designated as "Come-
outers;" the same reckless 1irings feariessness
of spirit, and energy of character; with passions
equally inpatient of restraint, the tr@pper is
nevertheless altogether different character, for
he works for a living, while the other steals; the
one is an honest labOrer, the other is often pi-
rate or bandit
The trapper was seated at the door Of his
shanty, cleaning his gun, when MOrtonapproaeh-
ed; and as the sound OF footsteps caused himtO
raise his head suddenly, he gave the new conner
quiet nod of recognition, and directly
his work, without dOigning him word. The
old fellow was apt TO be lacOnic; but his manner,
nevertheless, was unusual, and Ben scrutinized
e frsasf-