Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-05-26


er dare to show yer face ermong men agin. u
II care nothing for the money" was the
still calm response. ''It's nothing to me-"
What do ye want, then?"
10 prove that you are a coward at heart u
''No man ever lived that could prove such
thing"
Simply because you murdered them, Laks
Benton
Murdered? but no, l. II not fight er boy. -
Because you dare not. But you shall
have no excuse, and Mark Whiteman spat
full in the face of the blood stained gam.
bier.
In an instant all was confusion. Benton
sprang forward With his knife appraised, and
would have cut down his insulter with a
blow. But others cid the same. They e.
allied that blood must be shed, but they in
sisted upon fair play" Even in the hor-
rible code of Texas dueling they demanded
that rules of honor (?) should be strictly ad-
hered to.
IF you must fight" said an old ranger,
land l see no way to avoid it now, it shall
be open and above board. It's your choice,
Benton Pick your weapons, and stand up
and fight it out like man."
"Pistols, then-ten paces-word!" was
the gruff answer.
''Are you satisfied? was asked of White
man.
''Yes, perfectly. Let him take his revol-
ver-I have mine. We will commence FIR
ing at the word, and continue to do so, as We
advance, until one or both shall fall. -
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 seco nd)
! and taking his hand within his own, whis-
pered: "You 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 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 blanket, and
let no one pry. around me after l am dead
VIII you promise me that?''
1T is strange thing to ask, but will
do it.
''Then I am ready"
"Yes, I'll do it. repeated the ranger, as
he slowly retreated, muttering to himself,
'and if you fall I'll send bullet through
the skull of him that kills you, and may the
good Lord forgive me if it is murder"
''Now. Luke Benton continued White
man, Il am ready. Yet, one word" and
he stepped to his side and handed him a
miniature If 1 die, look at this.
'I'll do it now" and with trembling
hands he undid the clasp-then let it drop
from his hand as if it had been serpent,
exclaiming: mo, I'll not fight you. Take
him away, some one-take him away, for
Gods sake
mot fight! Then you will die like a dog!"
and Whiteman raised his weapon and mo-
toned for the word to be given. 1t was
some time, however, before his request was
complied with. The sinewy frame of the
gambler trembled like dry leaf in the au-
tumn wind all the color left his face his
lips were like ashes; his pistol was pointing
downwards and shook in his hand. At
length he succeeded, by mighty effort, in
calming himself He braced his nerves
glared wildly around, and with all the calm
ness Of despair, stood upon his guard.
"Are you ready-both ready?' was asked
"Yesl'' came simultaneously from two
pairs of lips.
''One-twolthree-ArfREl'
The report Of the pistols cut the last word
in twain. The seconds rushed forward 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 fual account with his heart bull
letcleft Whiteman, too was dangerously
wounded. With his breath bubbiing forth
through blood, he called the ranger to him
and asked for the miniature. It was given
him-the fair face Of young man. He
covered it with his bloody fingers, and whis-
pered, BURY it with me, and he, too, had
ceased to live.
With fearful eyes that form was prepared
for the grave, the ranger insisting that his
promise to the dead should be fulfilled to
the letter. But all saw sufficient to convince
them that he who called himself Whiteman
was young woman. And years later they
found clue to the mystery. 1t was wife
who had then revenged the murder of her
husband murdered for saving her from dis
honor. From a bloody grave in the chap
perel, she had gone to join him she had
loved SO we'll in the land that lies beyond the
dark river.
Was her last act one of sin? 1t is not for
us to Judge of such a thing. We know
nothing of the maddened heart and insane
brain-know nothing Of the long days and
longer nights Of suffering; nothing of how
we would act under such circumstances.
Better leave judgment to him who can read
both the mind and the heart, and whose
will directed the avenging bullet. None
other is without sin, and who will dare to