The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1859-09-02
BELLEVUE, LOUISIANA, SEPTEMBER 2, 1859.

"Ihe five strangers simultaneously
started to their feet; and the one near
est me said, in a low, threatening tone,
fixing bis eye sullenly upon mine, as be
thrust his hand into his bosom for a
weapon:
Take that back, sir, and acknowl-
edge US to be gentlemen, or I will have
your hearts blood.
Wait moment,' said I, returning
bis gaze with an unqualing eye; wait
a moment, and | will show you how I
recant. Now you dare not touch me,
let me say what / viii, and for two
reasons: first you would lose your vic
tim, and few thousands; and secondly
what is of less consequence, yon would
all lose your unworthy lives; and there
fore boldly defy you to do your worst,
and deliberately repeat here that you
are gamblers and no gentlemen"
These remarks were made impulsiye-
", under the excitement of anger, and
with my hand upon pistol, which I
intended to use should I perceive the
least attempt upon my life. What the
consequences might have been. had
net Paul Rathbun interfered, cannot
say; but he started suddenly to his feet,
and Feeling forward a step, thus effect
uallY covered my person with his"
3Gentlemen,' he said to the gamblers
sit down, and don't mind this (hicl boyl
# there's to be any quarrel with him.
I'm the man for that. Don't let US
spoil our nights sport to please him.
There, that's (hic) right, gentlemen-
sit down. And now, boy, turning to
me, go 10 bed, and don't bother (hicl
4 n
yourself about matters too old for your
compre-(hic) -heusion. Here, he added,
producing q large pocket book, as j
stood looking sorrowfully into his face
considering what course bestto pursue;
take this, Frank, and don't bother fhic)
me. In there you'll find all the money
that don't belong 10 me, and the rests
my own, and I'll dc as 1 (hic) ike with
it. Take that, now, and go to bed
that's (hic) good fellow !"
Il seized the pocket-book with avid
ity, thankful that I could get possess
sion Of what would save my friend
from utter ruin and disgrace; and find
ing ] could do nothing with him in bis
present condition, without resorting to-
force, ] left him, as itwere to his fate.
'sBut ] did not r etira to bed /; it was
impossible, under the circumstances for.
me 70 sleep; and ! spent hour after hour
in alternately clambering over the cot
tonspiled deck, exposed to a cold, fu-
.tious storm -in standing on the guards,
dripping with rain and in walking up.
and down the saloon, plying the weak
ness. Of my friend. who still drank and
played with men who had the same
regard for him that so many wolves
would have for a lamb.
a0ne round after another of Iiel,or
was brought and drank. paeh after pack
Of cards disappeared under the table,
large sums Of moasy changed hands
continually, anastill my poor, demen-
ted friend, y ! considered him, sat
among five human tends, the victims
Of all.
NAlmost wearied out with long-con-
tinued excitement and loss of rest, I
had at last taken a seat some distance
from the players, and, with my head
upon my hand, was just giving way to
an overpowering somnoliency, when |
was suddenly aroused, and much aston
ished, at hearing my friend exclaiul, in
that sharp, clear, cold, determined zone
peculiar to him when carrying his pOius
at the point Of Bowie knife or the
muzzle Of pistol
4Holdl The frst man that lays his
hand on a dollar, / will kill him as ]
would dog"
q started up, and beheld an unlock
ed-for tableau. The gamblers we're al
1 - a - n 1