The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-07-20
THE TEXANS DUEL.

| it down, say" and the hand of the
speaker slowly and deliberately raised a
revolver.
! 1t was very anxious moment for the
lockers on. One of the combatants was
brawny ruf1ian, upon whose face was
stamped all the evil passions of human
nature Black haired, black bearded,
black eyed, and strong enough was he
to have felled an OK with a single blow
of his fist. The other was pale, slen-
der, intellectual young man, boy almost,
with bright curls and complexion, and
blue eyes.
The scene was in the little tavern of
Washington, on the Brazos River, in
Texas, and the time midnight.
'Do yer know who yer talking to,
boy?" was the coarse and uneducated
answer of Luke Bouton, than whom no
gambler in the vicinity was more feared
and detested.
A mall to whom (and not without rea-
son) was imputed every crime-even
that Of murder-who was an unfailing
shot with pistol and rifle, unmatched
in skill with that strictly border weapon
the bowie knife. A short residence
in that locality had given him a reputa-
ton as duelist, for the long grass of
the Tampass 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 past life.
Still it was whispered-behind his back,
for no one was fool-hardy enough to say
| it before his face-that he was one of the
very few who escaped from the Natchez
under the hill, when the outraged citi-
zens awoke in their wrath and took
speedy vengeance in their own hands
Be that as it might, he had already earn
ed name sufficiently bad to need no
addition, ever where the majority of the
crimes were looked upon lightly, making
Texas in its infancy the paradise of
scouudrels. .....
On the other hand, this boy antago-
mist was even less known. 1t was but
two days since his arrival, and he had
come on horseback and alone. Of his
business he had nothing to say; but
suave manners had already made him
friends among the better portion of the
sparse population.
Very much to their surprise, therefore,
was it that they had seen him enter into
the contest of cards with the professional
gamester, Bouton, confident that he
would either be cheated or bullied out
of his money, in case he should be sue
cessful, which was almost beyond the
range Of possibility.
But for two hours the game had been
progressing, the gambler getting angry
every deal, and the youth keeping per
fectly cool, ,and breathing taunting words,
as if his object was to still further pro-
yoke him. If it was his purpose to do
so, he was more than successful, tor BoU-
ton had suddenly sprung to his feet, and
drawn his heavy knife, with oaths on his
lips and murder flashing from his eyes.
''Put down that knife" again repeated
the young man, Mark Whiteman, as he
had given all to understand was his
name s'Put it down. No one but a
coward and cheat would attempt to use
such fatal arguments in q single game OF
chance.
ar cheat! cowardr' thundered Bou-
ton, with all wrath aroused "By heav-
Ell, I'll make yer eat yer words"
"For fear you do not fully understand
l will repeat them"
"You dare notr' was his reply from
the more tightly compressed lips.
| Coward cheat! l dare say anything
to one like your
Coward or gin!' and the knife flash
cd still more wildly around.
In vain the others interfered. They
cared little for the professional and bru
tai gamcster, but they did for young
Whiteman, and could be but surprised
at the almost sublimity Of his GOODNESS
and bravery, even though he was court
ing his own death.
! Something in the manner of the young
man, too, appeared to deeply impress his
antagonist, who had never before re-
strained his hand from swift vengeance
The delicate frame tremblcd not, Tho
sweet, almost girlish expression upon
the mobile lips, remained unaltered ant
the mild, blue eyes never swerved from
their steady gaze upon the fiery blacl
ones. 1t appeared as if the serpent and
bird had changed places, and the fierce
charmer became the charmed.
''Pshawr' lat length continued Lux
Bouton, 81 am fool to take any notic'
of boy who | could crush between m,
thumb and fingers. Take yer money
lyer such sneak; go back among th'
women and never show yer face anon:
men ergain.
81 care nothing for the money" wa
the still more calm response. 1T i
nothing to me-"
''What do you want, then ?"
''To prove that you are a coward q
heart" ..'
sNo man ever lived that dared to sa
such er thing"
"Simply because you murdered them
Luke Bouton."
Murdered? But, no; I'll not ligll
or boy" ......
because you dare not But .yo
, shall have no excuse" and Mark White
man spat full in the face Of the blood
stained gambler.
In an instant all was confusion. Bou
ton sprang forward with his knife an
-, would have cut down his inSulter with
single blow. But others did the samt
: They realized that blood must he sheC
but they insisted on fair play" Eve
in the horrible code of Texas duelin9
they demanded that rules OF homo
should be strictly adhered to.
"You must fight" said an old Range
and / see no way to avoid it now;
shall be all open and above board. 1t
: your choice, Bouton. Pick your weapon
E and stand up and fight it out like men.
e Pistols, then, ten PAGES; words,
y was the grulf answer.
: "Are Won satisfied y was asked {
9 Whiteman. .....-.....
"Yes-perfectly. Let him take h
II revolver-I have mine We will con