The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-06-06

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keen bluc-eyes so preternaturally bright, and
shuddered, but he Immediately gained his
presence of mind, for he Was 10 coward. and
then he frowned till his shaggy brows met
like the coil of serpent, and demanded
sternly-
Beggar, who are you to banter gentle
man thus rutlcly?"
Il am James Bowie. of Texas" answered
the other with ringing laugh, :" and you are
John Laftte. a bastar; of the old pirate
The gambler rcclcd in his chair as if he
had been struck with a thundcrbolt, but re-
covered again from the shock in moment,
and asked in a firm tone
what game do you wish with me-"
Poker, first. and pistols afterwards, if YOU
play foul" replied Bowie.
"Very WE'LL" rejoincd the other, and they
took their seats at the table.
For time the success seemed about equal
ly balanced: the gam and loss being alter
nate. At last the gambler venturcd one of his
skillful manauvers in dealing. Bowie smiled
strangely as his quick eye detected the trick.
j He said nothing. however. but looked at his
hand, and bet five thousand dollars, stalking
the money in ten large bills. The gambler
went five thousand higher. which resulted in
a call.
Bowie held four jacks. but with that habit
ual fiendish chucklc. his antagonist showed
four queens, exclaiming as he did So
by heavens. the pile is mine"
Not yet" shouted Bowie. as with both
hands he raked the heap of notes to the tune
of twenty Thousand dollars. in his pocket.
Choking, and purple with rage and shame.
the gambler roared. - to the hurricane deck
and let pistols be trumps this time
GOOD as gold" replied Bowie. and the
two hastily ascended the stairs and assumed
their separate positions-tha gambler over
the stern, and Bowie over the PROV
At that instant the sun was just rising in a
cloudlcss SKY. Nature looked sublimc-a
bride worthy of her almighty husband and
God. The woods and water appeared as part
of the divine picture. with the bound,css blue
of heaven for it, back ground The broad
bo>omcd river rolled away Ike an immense
sheet of FURNISHED silver. 81 Ccklcd here and
there with flush of yoldcn-hubblcs shining
fishes gambolcI in the sparkling wave. and
all the bright birds-thosc sweet singers.
whose life is dream Of music-c!launtcd
their wild anthems to the new dav: while the
two great dueii>ts. the most deadly ever known
IL the southwest. stood with cooked pis-
tolls. eye to eye. and their fingers fixed ca
their hair triggers. prepared and waiting t.
>lay and bc slain.
Il am ready. You give the word" cried
Bowie i'll his clear ringing voice and with tha.
inseparablc smile of strange meaning on hi,
lips.
Il All ready. Fire. :" shouted the gamb-
Ter, IN tone murlcrous as death.
The two pistols reared simultaneously. Bow
lie did not move. though he had hardly escap-
ed with his life for the ballet of his foe had
cut away one Of the golden locks of his vel
low hair. The gambler was shot through the
heart. and dropped on the brink of the deck.
and almost tumblcl in the river. lie was
buried by the squattcrs a, the next wood
yard. Ard thus perishcd justly bastard
son of the pirate laiit,c.
There never was a jury cmpanEcllcd in
the West who would have brought in YER
dict against any man for killing him, and
more especially under the circumstances, be
cause public opinion pronounced that he
ought to be killed" And such were the dcs-
peradocs that Bowie commonly cxtermi,atcd.
The generous victor Immediately proceed
cd to the ladies' cabin and restored the win
nings TO the merchant and his beautiful wife,
who both received the boon rs Kilt from
heaven, with as much gratitude a. joy.