Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-07-01

A man 10 WQOm \aHQ uOG WlIuOut Iedsouj HSS
imputed every crime-even that Of murder; who
was an unfailiug shot with the pistol and riAe and
unmatched in skill with that strictly border weap'
on-the bowie knife A short residence in that
locality had given him reputation as duellst,
for the long grass of the tempas covered the forms
of two who had fallen by his hand. Where he
came from no one knew, and he was particularly
reticent about his former life Still it was whis-
pered-behind his back, for no one was fool-hardy
enough to say it to his face-that he was one Of
the very few who escaped from the terrible justice
of 'Natohez under the hill, when the outraged cit
izens awoke in their wrath and took speedy ven
geance in their own hands. Be that as it might,
he had already earned a name sufficiently bad to
need no additions even where the majority of crimes
were looked upon ightly-making Texas, in its in
fancy, the paradise of scoundrels.
OF the other, his boy antagonist, even less was
known. 1t was but two days since his arrival and
he had come on horseback and alone Of his bus
mess he had nothing to say, but his suave manner
and quiet gentlemanly department had already
made him friends among the better portion of the
sparse population.
Very much to their surprise, therefore, was II
that they had seen him enter into acontesta cards
with the professional gamester, Bouton, confident
that he would either be cheated or bullied out OF
his money, in case he should be successful, which
was almost beyond the range Of possibility.
But for two hours the game had been progress
sing the gambler getting more angry atevery deal,
and the youth keeping perfectly cocl and breathing
tauntng words as if his object was still further to
provoke him. IF it was his purpose to do so, he
was more than successful, for Bouton had sudden
" sprung to bis feet, and drawn bis heavy knife,
with oaths upon bis lips and murder flashing from
''Put down that knife, again repeated the young
man, Mark Whiteman, as he had given all to un.
derstand was his name. ''Put it down. No one
but coward and a cheat would attempt to use
such fatal arguments in simple game Of chance. "
''Er cheat! coward p thundered Bouton, with
all his wrath aroused-"By heaven, III make yer
eat yer words
"For fear you do not fully understand, will re-
peat them"
eyer dare not % was hissed from the more than
tightly compressed lips"
"Coward cheat! I dare say anything to one
like you
"Coward er gin!' and his knife flashed still
more wildly around,
In vain the others interferred. They cared little
for the professional and brutal gamester, but they
did care for young Whiteman, and could not but
be surprised at the almost sublimity of his cooness
and bravery, even though he was counting his own
death.
Something in the manner of the young man,
too, appeared to deeply impress bis antagonist,
who had never before restrained his hand from
swift vengeance. The delicate frame trembled not,
the sweet, almost grlish expression upon the mo-
bile lips remained, and the mild, blue eyes never
swerved from their steady gaze upon the fiery black
ones. 1t appeared as if the serpent and the bird
had changed places and the fierce charmer became
the charmed.
'Pshawr' at length continued Luke Bouton,
II am er fool to take any notice of er boy who
could crush between my thumb and fingers. Take
yer money, if yer such er sneak; go back ermong
the women, and never dare ter show yer face er-
mong men ergain."
II care nothing for the money" was the still
calm response. 1T is nothing to me-"
"What do yer want, then? p
s"To prove that you are coward at heart.
stNo man ever lived that dared ter say such el
thing"
'Simply because you murdered them, Luke
Bouton."
Murdered? But, no, III not fight er boy"
because you dare not. But you shall have nc
excuse" and Mark Whiteman spat full in the face
of the blood-stained gambler
T. ,n ;n,&ont oil ,poc oopf,cinn Ronfnn sprono
forward with his knife raised, and would have cut
down his insulter with blow. But others did the
same They realized that blood must be shed, but
they insisted on fair play. Even in the horrible
code of Texas dueing, they demanded that the
rules of honor (?) should be strictly adhered to-
IF you must fight" said an old Ranger, ''anc
see no way to avoid it now, it should be all oper
and above board It's your choice, Bouton. Pick
your weapons and stand up and fight it out like
men,"
'Pistols then-ten paces-word 7" was the
gruff answer.
''Are you satis6ed?" was asked of Whiteman.
''Yes-perfectly Let him take his revolver-]
have mine. We will commence firing at the wore
and continue to advance and do so until one o.
both falls
A few steps from the house brought them to
spot where the green grass and bright flowers hac
more than once been stained in such encounters
The men were placed-the weapons prepared ane
the fatal word was about to be given when White
man called the Ranger (who was acting as his sec
ond) and taking his hand within his own whis
pered:
'You appear to be kind and true hearted man
and wish to ask favor of you
"Speak on. Anything 1 can do shall be done
Just say the word and II take your place.
''No, not that But if I should chance to fall
promise that you will see me buried as am. Dc
not let my dress be disturbed in the least. Rol
me up in blanket and let no one pry around me-
after L am dead. Will you promise me that?'
1T is a strange thing to ask, but I'll do it.
''Then, am ready"
eyes, I'll do it" repeated the Ranger, as hi
slowly retreated muttering to himself, ''and if yot
do fall, III send bullet through the skull of hin
who killed you, and may the good Lord forgive mt
if it is murder"
''Now, Luke Bouton,' continued Whiteman
II am ready. Yet one word," and he stepped tt
his side and handed him miniature. IF l die
look at this