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


Pat dawn that knife, or the consequen
ces be 6nycur own head. Put it down,
say" aug the hand of the speaker slowly
and Deliberately raised revolver.
1t was very anxious moment for the
lockers on. One of the ccmbatants was q
trawny rufa4T, upon whose face was stamp.
ed all the evil passions of the human race.
Black haired, black bearded, black eyed,
and strong enough to have felled an OK with
single blow of his fist The other was a
pale, slender, intellectual looking voting man,
boy almost, with light curls and complexion,
and blue eyes The scene was in the little
town of Washington, on the Brazos river,
in Texas, and the time midnight.
''Do yer know who yer talkin to, boy p
was the coarse and uneducated answer of
Luke Benton, than whom no gambler in
that vicinity was more detested and feared.
A man to whom land not without reason)
was imputed every crime-even that of mur
der; who was an unfailing shot with the
pistol and rife, and unmatched in skill with
that strictly border rweapon-the bowie knife.
4 short reside nee in that locality had given
him reputation as duelist, for the long
grass of the tampas covered the forms of
two who had fallen by his hand Where he
cme from no one knew and he was particu-
zrly reticcnt about his former life. Still, it
was whispered behind his back-tor no one
vas toolhardy enough TO say it to his face
that he was one of the very few who escaped
from the terrible justice of Matches under
the hill when the outraged citizens awoke
IN their wrath, and took speedy vengeance
into their own hands Be that as it might,
he had already earned a name sufficiently
lad to need no additions even where the
great majority of crimes we're looked upon
Ightly-making Texas in its infancy the par
adse OF scOundrels
On the other hand, of his boy antagonist
even less was known. 1t was but two days
ance his arrival. and he had come on horse
tack and alone. Of his business he had
eoihiBg to say, but his suave manner, and
qlet, gentIemanly department had already
made him friends among the better portion
Of the sparse population.
Very much to their surprise, therefore,
vas that they had seen him enter into a
attest at cards with the great professional
nmester, Benton, confident that he would
either De cheated or bullied out of his money
n ease he was successful, which was almost
'eyOnd the range Of possibility
DIT Tor two hours the game had been pro-
ses'iug' the gambler getting more angry at
"ery deal, and the youth keeping perfectly
%o4 aud breathing taunting words, as if his
..ect was still further to provoke him. If
" Tas hIs purpose to do so, he was more than
S.'e'siul for Benton had suddenly sprung
. It's ieet and drawn his heavy knife, with
u oath upon his lips and murder flashing
iOn bis eyes"
,, fnt down that knife" again repeated
us young nan, Mark Whiteman, as he had
:'5n all to understand was his name Put
"uo|n. No one but coward and a cheat
.O4ll attempt to use such fatal arguments
aample game Of chance.
hF-cheat-coward! - Numbered Benton
~ A all his wrath aroused. BY heaven,
s-Ae yer eat yer words"
For teay con do not fully understand l
"'4 repeat thea"
le'daFe not" was Kissed from the tight
= Feoupressed lips.
coward cheat l dare say anything to
Coward er gia!'' and his knife flashed
IIFe wildly around.
s,.,. - ,a'n the others interfered. They cared
''' the professional and brutal game
-, - '4' they did for young Whiteman, and
g.., lot out be surprised at the almost sub
t s u his coolness and bravery, even
ne vas courting his own death.
~, 4e'ning IN the manner of the young
.,,s 'oo' appeared to deeply impress his
B.r B'H,'t' who had never before restrained
,,. ifoin swift vengeance. The deli
s,I;I i'au'e 'rembled not; the sweet, almost
n,;- 'Apfesslon upon those mobile lips re-
b4 80 analtered; the cheeks were un-
s,..- and the mild, blue eyes never
u,L s1 from their steady gaze upon the
ana I ltappeared as if the serpent
s.,,. 'ue Ord had changed places, and the
- V"afmer become the charmed.
II, ~ Ta" at length continued Luke Ben
ba,u An a fool to take any notice of er
WIZ l could crush between my thumb