The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-02

l chefmaf ;beccme the cllhrmed,STS a. y g..
sPshawP at length continued Luke
Benton, ST am fool to take any notice
Of or boy Who'll could crush between my
Thumb and fingers. Take yer money! .ef
yer such sneak; go back ermong the
women, and never dare ter show yer
| face ermong men again. -
81 care nothing Tor the money" was
still the calm response. cts nothing
to.mes'' w Es ~ -, :.
what do you want, then?" - 4
"To prove that yon are coward at
heart"
f.No man ever lived that could prove
such a thing" a.
s'simply because you murdered them,
Luke Benton"
Murdered? But no, I'll not fight er
"Becauso you dare not. But you shall
have no excuse" and Mark Whiteman
spat full in the face OF the blood stained
gambler.
In an instant all was confusion. Ben
ton sprang forward with his knife up
raised, and would have cut down his in
sulter with blow. But others did the
same. They realized that blood must be
shed, but they insisted upon 'sfair play"
Even in the horrible code Of Texas duel
ing they demanded that rules of honor(?)
should be strictly adhered to. a. : = :
eff you must fight, !" said an old
ranger, "and 7 see; no way to avoid it
now, it shall baz al open and above
board. It's your choice. Benton. Pick
your Weapon, and stand up and fight it
out like man."
'Pistols, then--ten paces--word" was
the gruf answer.
Whiteman. !,
revolver have mine. We will COM
to advance to do 80 until one or both
fall" t+.l.
A few steps from the house brought
them to spot where the green grass
and bright flowers had more than once
been stained in such encounters. The
men were placed, the weapons prepared,
and the fatal word was about to be given,
when Whiteman called the ranger, (who
was acting as his second, and taking his
hand within his own, whispered:
"sYou appear to be true-hearted man,
and wish to ask favor OF you"
"Speak on. Anything can do shall
be done. just say the word, and I'll
take your place..
"No, not that. But if I should chance
to fall, promise that you will see me
buried as am. Do not let my dress be
disturbed in the least. Roll me up in O
blanket, and let no one pry around me
after I am dead. Will you promise me
that?" = ts-' ~
'It is strange thing to ask, but I'll
do it." 4, 4
"Then am ready" 4
eyes, I'll do it, repeated the ranger
as he slowly retreated, muttering to
himself, "and if you do fall, I'll send
bullet through the skull of him that kills
you; and may the good Lord forgive me
If it is murder" 2
.'Now, Luke Benton" continued
Whiteman, II am ready. Yet one
word;" and he stepped to his side and
handed him miniature. eff I die,
look at this"
"I'll do it now;" and with trembling
fingers he undid the clasp, then let it
drop from his hand Ms if it had been q
serpent, .exclaiming. ''No; I'll not fight
you. Take him away, some one; take
him away, for Gods sake"
''Not fghtl Then you will die like
and motioned for the word to be
given. r
It was some time, however, before his
request was complied with. The sinewy
frame of the gambler trembled like a dry
leaf in the autumn wind; all the color
had left his face; his lips were like ashes;
his pistol was pointing downwards, and
shook in his hand. At length he sue
ceeded, by mighty effort, in calming
himself. He braced his nerves, aglared
widely around, and, with all the calm
ness Of despair, stood upon his guard.
care you ready--both ready?"
eyes," came simultaneously from two
pairs of lips.
'.One-two-three-f -
The report Of the pistols cut the last
word in twain. The seconds rushed for
ward and lifted the men up again, for
both had fallen. One, however, would
never breathe more. Luke Benton had
fought his last duel-had gone to his
final account with his heart bnllet-cleft.
Whitaman too Mas danoarnuslY wnnnd-