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


the village. Who dare set bis piIel
An knew the rascal's SiIlainy well, and more
than one heard his brasgart inuendo in silent
Indignation, but feared to brave the vengeance
of the dreaded bully by word Of Just resent
ment. AGAIN the tyappeyeIutcbs6 TIE handle
of his ready knife. The buiiy saw the move
ment, and his cunning eye glistenel with de-
moniac light.
"Double it," he cried, bringing down heavy
purse of coin upon the box with force that
sounded like hammer. "Doub!e it, that can
prove Bell May to be no better than
"Liar"' yelled Ramrod, with a voice that
sounded like an Indian war-whoop; and with a
bound, he cleared fhe pine box between them,
and springing upon his startled foe with the swift
rage of tiger, he crushed him down to earth,
and brandished his long knife high over his de-
voted head. "Stand back,' he cried, as Ben
pressed eagerly forward. "Stand back! I'll fix
this nigger's flint, alonen'
"No-nO! not in cold blood. Give him
chance for fair fghtr' shouted Ben, as he
stayed the murderous blow. He's my nan
not yours. I'm the one to match aim. For Bells
sake, let me do it! For my Bells" Ha.
ware-steel there, Ramrod!" he cried suddenly,
as his quick eye detected the bully's hand aim
ing stealthy thrust at the trapper's side with
his knife, which he had manageG to seize, upper
ceiYed by his antagonists; and quick as thought,
he darted forward, and pressed his knee upon
the treacherous arm.
At the sound of angry voices, all had pressed
forward simultaneously to the scene of conflict,
and there stood for time transfxed in amaze
ment at the boldness of him who dared to cope
with the most dreaded duellist OF that section,
and fearing to interfere, lest they should divert
his wrath upon themselves. But when they saw
the new phase affairs we're taking, they regained
their seif-possession.
Fair play!" they shouted. q Ben is right.
Give Kim chance, Ramrod, and let him on his
feet.''
The trapper yielded unwillingly, and released
his grasp. As soon as the other found himself
free, his rage rcdOuhed, and he would have
sprung upon his antagonist, had he nat been re-
strained by those who held him back.
"COne %. boss sai'i t!,s isri,p.r, nov quite
rssOl. "Toe the mark, nay ~, if you feel ike
having yer ribs tickled with this herep' and he
shook his knife menacingly. "Pm a regular
mountain man-waugh! and can't be bluffed bv
such chaif as you. l reckon rs how you've seed
this child afore; for once agOne let you Off
| slck-and wouldn't do it this time, no-how, sa-
vim as how T know this lad here'n knock the
hind sights clean off yer, when it comes to shoot
in, or rib-stickin', either. And if he don't do
it, you've got me to fght-eh, Ben7'
"No-no. Leave it all to me-" urged Ben
Morton. earnestly. " If am killed, it will be
for Bell and you"
"Yes. Let 'em have it out" said several of
the party, quite pleased at the prospect of some
excitement to relieve the past week s monotony,
and 10th to give up the sport Of seeing two hu-
man beings S--.>. each other.
Bill BI,;ncoe stood with his villainous eyes fix
ed N the face of his new-found foe, and a
treacherous but triumphant smile played around
the corneI- of his mouth.
$50 you would ike little taste of this here,
my fine fellow7" he demanded Of Ben, with ac-
cents of greatest contempt. "But suppose you
wouldn't mind having few days longer to live,
so as to be accounting of that sweet Bell of
yours; and wouldn't care TO have piece Of cold
lead put into yer lights just now-el1'' he con-
tinued tauntingly.
The face of young Morton turned deadly pale,
and for moment he stood rigid as a statue.
Not a muscle moved; but the flashing fhis dark
eyes, that glared like a panther's, spoke the I'M
utterable rage pent up within his breast.
"FoOl!'' he Kissed at length, yea know not
what you say! Come on, if YOU are man. But
you are not. You're coward and villain!'
and he shook his cIenched fist in his adversary's
face.
Blencoe had hitherto assumedhis true charac-
ter-that of the bully. He felt that he had his
victim completely IN his power, so confident was
he of his superior skin as a dueIIist. But now
his worst passions were aroused. Astonishsd at
his reckless temerity, and eHrsged by his defiant
challenge, he ground his teeth, and rared like a
mailman.
"When shall it be!'' he growled, with
hoarse voice.
"Now: tonight! the sooner the better." cried
Ben, impatient for the conflict
"And the tools7''
"Here they are-here" The Young man
elapped his hand upon his belt, where the han
die of his long knife and two heavy pistols pro-
truded, and a hsrid smile played around his
lips
"NO-no!" cried several voices together
" Not tonight. You couldn't draw bead in
the dark. There's not even a moon :"
Ben Morton had many friends who disliked to
see him sacrifice his life on such terms. They
knew well enough there was no, a better shot in
the village, and that he wa, fully match for his
foe with a rife or pistol; but knowing the diff
Guilty of taking accurate aim in the dusk, they
feared for the consequences when he should
place himself within reach Of the others dead |
ly blade. However, Ben was not to be dissua |
ded, and each choosing bis second, the terms of
the comsat were speedily arranged. Proceeding
q short distance from the shaniy some tenpaces
were marked OF, and each stood with pistol in |
either hand, and their knives handy to their
grasp. ready to be used, should the bulletfail on
- II r.