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


of BeneOe, and more than one earnestly wished
that Ben would be the means of Kidding the coun-
try of so terrible character as the famed "Bul-
" Blink-eye."
Ben Morton was a ine-looking fellow-fully
Bleucoe's equal in stature-with an honest ex-
preston Of countenance that offered striking
contrast to the inpndent leer of the other. His
cheek was pallid, but the compressed lips and
fixed eye indicated stern determination that
suguTed well for his success. Blencoe seemed
confident of his advantage, and his cunning
gray eye twinkled maliciously, as he confronted
his opponent.
The parties fred at the word, and two distinct
reports were heard, as each brace IF pistols
cracked simultaneously, first one and then the
other. Then hastily dashing them to the earth,
each drew his deadly knife, and rushed to closer
combat. But hardly had the first clash of steel
rang upon the still night air, when Blencoe's arm
dropped suddenly, 'his knees trembled for an in
slant, and vainly clutching at the air with out
stretched arms, he staggered and fell to the
earth. A sudden burst Of exultation and sur
prise followed this unexpected result; but it
lasted only for an instant, and then-all gathered
quickly around the fallen man. One raised him
up, while another stripped off his shirt, already
saturated with blood. Ben's pistol had been true
to its aim, for one ball had left its mark in BEsn-
GOES side, while the other had slightly grazed
his neck.
Ben stood by with folded arms, looking calm
ly into his face. as he dead7'' he asked, and
placed his hand upon his barred breast to feel the
pulsations of the heart.
"He breathes YET" replied Ramrod; /" but
he's just as good as gone, I'm thinking" Then
he started suddenly. "By erickey! you're hurt,
boy"' he exclaimed, and he seized Ben's wrist,
looked at it, then glanced towards the fallen
man, and again examined the wrist from which
the blood was now flowing in streams. Ben's
hand had left a deep red imprint where he had
placed it, and this was what first attracted the
trapper's attention. Ben glanced at his wound
ed limb in surprise, for he had not before per-
ceived that he was struck. Then he united his
neckerchief, andproceeded to bandage his arm
tightly.
"Come! let's leave, boyr' said Ranrod, with
some show of trepidation, and he seized Ben's
a-7n and led kim slowly away. IS That igser's
jest as good as dead, for you give it to him slick
That's bad for him, but to stay here is wuss for
you. This child smells trouble a-comin'; so let's
cache at once, for it amt safe, no how
Ben took the hint at once, for he well knew
that even in this section there was law of some
kind, and he feared the consequences that might
be. Old Ramrod was now ready to put out again
for the Plains, and he determined to accompany
him. Before the eastern sky was fairly REDEEM
ed the next morning, the twain were far out on
the prairie riding at brisk trot on feet-footed
steeds, with their "possible sack" strapped on
behind, and their rifles resting upon their saddle
BOWS before them.
Bell bent her head upon her hands at eventide,
when she found that Ben had gone, and wept Bit
ter tears; for he had left her without one part
ing word, and she knew that he doubted her f.
deity. The thought was crushing.
Thus it is that many man has been led to
abandon the comforts and pleasures of civilized
life, for the perils and hardships Of the Far
West Disappointment in love, or the fear of
punishment for the commission Of crime, have
driven him out oftener than mere love of ad-
venture, or an innate fondness for rowing life Of
peril.
III