The Portland daily press., 1868-07-24
Miscellany.


Colonel I. b. Thorpe draws upon his long
experience in the Southwest for some inter-
esting stories about duelng, which are pub
lished in the August number of Hdrper's
Monthly. He tells of a descendent of Gene
raj Philip Schuyler, who, some thirty years
ago, while travelling in that section, was set
upon by an outlaw. He says:
The mars name was Gamble he had COM
mitted iRnumerable murders, and deted ar
rest or punishment. He had been repeatedly
warned by the constituted authorities of his
state, declared an outlaw, and a large reward
was then offered for his arrest. Schuyler was
stranger, and at the time was waiting at
the vll9ge tavern for the mall-stage 10
loiter away the time, he was with a number
of the villagers sitting at table amusing him
self with conversation and iniuoing at the
same time in fits Of laughter. Suddenly the
party was interrupted by a yell almost as loud
as steam whistle, which noise was followed
by volley of braggaaoco epithets and the
general inquiry, What the people round the
table were making all that noise about?"
The parties in the locality TUNED pale as
they recognised the redoubtable Gamble, for
they saw there was mischief 10 his frenzed
eye. The outlaw, having delivered himself OF
the opinion that every man present was
Su6dh anu COWdfu, CIlu6u WIFI u0IlUcldlCly
discharging mouthful of tobacco spttle uI-
on the polished boot CT Schuyler, who was
the only person in the room who could, by ex-
ternal appearance, be pronounced gentle
man. The rude men who witnessed this
congratulated themselves that the bio " had
fallen upon q helpless traveller, and that in
the skirmishing and catastrophe that must
follow they could make their escape.
To Schuyler this insult was electrical, and,
rising with indignation, he demanded OF
Gamble GOT whose history at the time he
knew nothing): IA
"Did you Intentionally spit upon my boot ?'
Gamble was speeches. with rage and
establishment, and as soon as he could recov-
er the use of his tongue he Numbered out:
yes! and I'll do the same for your face
next time" But before he could carry his
disgusting threat into execution SCHUYLER
struck the outlaw such blow in the chest
that the rufiian went Keeling against the side
OF the wall In another instant the parties
closed with each other, aud rough and-tum
Die light ensued, in which each party attempt
ed in vain to use their knives. The specta-
tors formed ring and looked as coolIy on as
If it had been dog-fght. If Gamble was
Killed, they got clear of the terror of the Vi
clnlty; II the stranger, what difference did if
make to them? The fight continued. with
out seeming damage, until both parties sepa-
rated Tor moment from exhaustion but as
ihey were about to renew the contest the
landlord interlered and suggested that both
men be shut up in dark room, each armed
WIN revolver and bowie-knife and be
mus lett IN quiet way to fight it ont "like
gentlemen" 'i>e
Inc proposition was received with cheers.
and Gamble especially endorsed the PROPOSE
ZION. Schuyler was silent, but showed him
sell to be as resoute and fearless as tiger
when the duelists were placed on the oppo-
site SIDES OF the room by the landlord, and as
he was about to disappear, the bravo said
MAJOR have Julep ready for me in fifteen
minutes" Schuyler said:
IF | fall, you will find on nv person a sill
yer watch and thirty dollars in New York
money; bury me decenty and keep what re-
MAINS above necessary expenses for your
trouble = - -"
The landlord then retired and locked the
door, the bar room spectators hanging round
t me outside, specializing on the result, or bet
.niS srlnks aud small sums of money to back
up tneiI opinions. Not a person in that
est OeIeVod that Schuyler stood the slight
M M possible chance of escaping with his life
inese frontiersmen could not believe deli.
S ,a pullt, genLemanly man, with effemipate
- anu iair hands, could be equal to such an
Many seconds elapsed before any noise was
heard; then followed quick reports of the
pistols. 1t was evident that deadly struc-
gle was going on, and one of the party seemed
to have fallen on the floor. Again scuffie !
ensued and another body fell.
The persons in the bar-room now Joined
those up stairs, and, headed by the landlord |
the 'den" was opened. terrible sight of |
blood met the eyes of these men. Gamble !
was already dead, and Schuyler lay on the |
floor insensibe from the loss of blood.
Nothing could exceed the care that was
bestowed upon Schuyler by his now entbusi-
astic frontier admirers. They sat by his bed
side and watched him as their child. Tn |
few weeks he was perfectly restored to health |
and the people the country round came to |
thank him for his prowess 1t is further STAT
ed that, by the advice of his friend. the land h
lord, who refused all remuneration for his |
hospitality, Schuyler went to the capital of /
the State and obtained not only the reward /
set upon the outlaws life, but also was fine |
recipient of complimentary dinner from the |
Governor and other high officials. he even
had lucrative and honorable inducements held |
out to settle permanently in the communiEy.
But his experiences the backwoods were i
not agreeable, and he returned to his native
new York, considering its dangers and temp
ations preferable to a life in the pine forests
)f TIE South. fs..s a g7-s.,s.