Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-11-05


SSSa'ral weeks. In company with friend
the night preceding my departure, Wis
tied celebrated gambling hall, kept by
Harvey Lang, a we'll known gambler and
duellist. 1t was midnight when we en-
tered, and the room was about half full
My friend directed my attention to ia
bic which stood in the middle of the room
and around which were standing a nun
Der of well-dressed men, all of them armed
to the teeth. Several of them were sub
sequently pointed out to me by my friend
as men whose names l had often heard
mentioned in the hotels and bar-rooms
frequented, and who acted as the BODY
guard Of Lang; for every duellist of note
then, as now, had party of men whose
weapons were ready to do his bidding.
and who always accompanied him when
he went forth to meet foe Before this
table stood Harvey Lang, the renowned
duellist, whose fearful deeds had made
him. for many years, the terror of the city.
| gazed upon him with the same curiosity
that man would feel when gazing upon
a lion and wondered that so small frame
could hold so great a heart. For Lang
was not over FIVE feet ten inches in
height, but his extreme thinness made him
appear somewhat taller. So far as I was
able to judge, he appeared to be about
thirty years Of age, but dissipation was
rapidly doing ITS work upon him, and-his
wrinkind forehead and bloodshot ewes
told me ofsleepless nights and DAYS spent
IN debauchery and at the gaming table.
Ever and anon, he turned his head and
gazed quickly up and down the room,
scanning rapidly the face of every new
conner. Occasionally, a frown would
gather round his mouth, and his hand, un-
consciously perhaps, would grasp the
handle of his huge bowie knife, and then
drop listlessly to his side. In belt,
buckled tightly around his waste were
two ducking pistols of the largest size,
and a bowie knife, the blade of which was
hacked in several places. From this de-
scription of the man the reader will be
surprised to hear me state that | have
never before or since gazed upon a more
gentlemanly looking man; and feltmore
confirmed in my theory, that the best
looking men are, generally, the greatest
Williams, or, to speak more truly, Satan
takes care that his followers lack not a
graceful exterior and fine features. After
gazing at him few moments, I turned to
my friend, whose name, / may as well
state here, was Taylorfand asked,
Can it be possible that this man is the
renowned duellist?"
The reply was in the affirmative.
say said man, who had entere5Sa
few minutes before, have you heard the
news?'
MOI what issit?' exclaimed several.
Henry Rogers has been sbotp was
the reply.
By whom?' exclaimed Lang, throwing
down the cards and sinking into chair
By Colonel Bowie
The gambler started to his feet, and
the look Of hate that passed over his fea-
lures was fearful to behold. For mo-
ment his hand touched his bowie-knife,
and he gazed at his informant as if about
to annihilate him. Suddenly, however,
his muscles relaxed, and he again sank
into chair.
Who told you this?' he asked, hoarse,
".
No one, for was present.
AS his second?'
The other nodded.
Who was the challenger?
Colonel Bowie
| thought so. said Lang, and for few
moments he appeared to be lost in thought.
/ say said man by the name of
Thompson, is it true that you are en-
jagged to fight Jack Price?'
1t is so, said Lang, playing with the
handle Of his knife.
WE'LL continued the other, if I was
in your place, I'd let him alone
Why? asked Lang, his features assn
ming an expression Of surprise.
Because he is said to be Colonel b.
wie's best friend.
a scowl passed over the gamblers face,
and again his hand wandered to his belt.
Well, what if he is his friend? be
asked.
Why, said the ether hesitatingly, il
you should fight Price, Bowie will act as
his second, and if you should hit him,
which think you will, he will challenge
you. s.
ingly,
lie will kill you, was the reply.
The gambler laughed, but it was eri-
IDENTIFY forced, aud said