East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-05-31

4
answered Ben fixing his eyes again OF
the newspaper.
"The fellow must be crazyp muttere,
the bewildered proprietor, as he retreate,
behind the bar as if to be out of the wa,
when the impending explosion shoulc
occur.
Indeed, an ominous murmer arose from
all parts Of the hall.
"The man is fool" observed one.
He will cut his wisdom teeth befor,
the day is an hour older!" added another
"Won't Bill swear the very devil ou
Of his den when he finds the knight o
the Mexican blanket in his arm chair 7
exclaimed third.
81 would rather sit on the brink of q
burning crater" affirmed fourth.
The General and captain both whis
pered to their friend to retire, but he re
fused even so much as to answer theil
request, and they moved to a different
table, hoping that the duellist, when he
should enter, would regard the intrusion
of single stranger as merely accidental
and pass it over as such.
Soon middle.aged person in gold
spectacles, approached the young ranger
and touching his rainbow blanket, in,
quired with an aspect of whitening irony
My dear boy, will you pardon my curl
osity, but is this pretty thing that you
wear with so much grace really bullet
proof?"
You are welcome to try the expert
ment when ever you like" answered Ben,
in calm voice.
at will be tried quicker than you ex-
pect," said the other, turning to the
counter for glass of wine.
Presently, several footsteps resounded
at the door accompanied by shout OF
boisterous laughter and score of Wis.
ages grew psllid with agitation at the
bare idea of the coming scene, as gen.
eral whisper announced-"There he is!
God pity the poor Texan!"
At the instant French Bill entered,
and striding to the bar, called for cham
pagne and broiled chicken. General
Henderson and Captain Hays gazed upon
the notorious duellist, and started, in
spite of their GOODNESS and courage, at
the extraordinary cruel ferocity of his
appearance. He was a man of herculean
frame, and seemingly endowed with fab.
ulous strength, if one might Judge by the
enormous breadth and bone, and the
swelling volumes of sinews about his
joints, that looked like bundles of steel
tibres from their frmness and elasticity.
His countenance was concealed by per
feet Jungle Of black hair--all save the
dagger-like blazing dark eyes, and a long
nose, crooked as the beak Of an eagle
Wherever his gaudy dress would allow it
to be seen, the sable bristlng hair showed
itself all over him, even to the ends of
his fingers. In fine, he resembled wild
beast, clothed in the costume of French
man.
The proprietor of the saloon whispered
in the ear of the savage, and
a half stihed cry Of mingled as.
and rage, he turned his eyes
towards the marble table where the
young ranger sat reading, apparently in
a state of profound abstraction. Muir.
derous passions shook the quivering
bosom of the bully like an electric storm
AS he walked with tread like that of an
elephant across the floor, and seated him.
self opposite the intruder at his usual
place. He then snstched the newspaper
from the others hand, and glanced round
at the spectators with triumphant look,
which implied-"You see how insult
him, and how he takes It'll"
Ben Cullum looked at him with a smile
Of imperturbable tranquility, but SPOKE
not a syllable.
"What can he mean?" murmured
Hays to Henderson. al never saw him |
before receive voluntary wrong so
calmly"
French Bill then jerked the Mexican
blanket from the shoulders of the youth,
md throwing it down, put his foot upon
t, uttering at the same time a low
,huckle, that sounded hoarse as the
aughter of fiend
The ranger slightly colored, and gazcd
With the same singular smile into the
yes of the duellist, as if he would van
luish him by look.
Coward and villain !" suddenly vocif-
'rated the bully, if you have a spark Of
manhood in your poltroon's heart, show
Is how they resent insults in Texas"
Then, quick as Q flash of lightning
rom the thunder cloud, Ben Cullum
'ounded to his feet, aud grasped French
,lps nose with one hand and his long
lack beard with the other; opened his
avs, and discharged volley Of tobacco
uice into his mouth, and Immediately
urled him upon the floor as easily as il
10 had been an infant.
In moment the duellist arose, foam.
ng at the lips, grinding his teeth and
owling for the satisfaction Of q gentle
ian.
"You shall have the satisfaction of a .
evil, as you are" Illuminated the ranger. :
Let us cross the lake and settle the issue
18th bowie knives J"
"Bowie knives" repeated the French
ian, with oountenance of unmiticated
knives are not weapons /,
scognized by the code Of honor" 7
"Bowie knives !" echoed the satellites '
the Jenny Lind saloon for ladies and I
entlemen. "Bowie knives are the
esPons Of savagssl"