Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-06-21

the fiend which turks, at different depths,
in all human nature.
[" If you are not a COW ard, why will you
not fight ?r asked the duelist, somewhat
struck, in spite of his thorough despera-
ton, hardened in the hot gore of a dozen
murders.
g Then you accept my challenge ?"
'' do. Will any one present be so good
as tC act as my second ?" inquired the law
yer, addressing the spectators.
For minute or two no one spoke, SO
great was the dread Of The duclst Mike
Johuson.
. viii no one in such a mass OF generous
men be my second repeated the lawyer
in q louder tone.
:" / WILL" said shrill, trumpet like voice
OH the outskirts of the crowd, aud tall
commanding form, bravery written OH his
GIOw, and the eagles epe beneath it, made
his way 10 the centre of contention, and
stood close fronting johnson, W it'll a smi-
ling glance, before which the latter, for an
instant quailed.
The question 8 Who is he who is he ~
circulated among the lockers on. But no
one cou'd no ono had ever seen him be-
fore and yet everybody would have sworn
to his Courage, so bold yet tranquil was his
bearing.
"Who are you =" inquired the duelst,
recovering his presence of mind.
. A stranger from Texas"
g But who will vouch for your rcspecta-
bility?"
tan give you vouchers sufficient, re-
piled tie stranger, frowninG till his brows
looked trightful; and then STOPPING for
ward he whispered something ia Johnson's
ear, audible alone to HIM.
. am satisfied" said the duellist aloud
and trembling perceptibly. Colonel Nor
ton, will y0u serve as my friend ?"
The individual last addressed gave his
assent.
"NOw let us adjourn to some private
room to arrange the preliminaries," re-
marked the stranger; and the principals
and seconds left the crowd then increasing
every minute, and excited nearly TO mad
ness by the thick crowdnS events of the
hour.
he meeting took place the following
night IN dark room, with the door lock-
ed, and the two seconds on the outside
The principals were placed in opposite cor
ners OF the apartment, which was twenty
feet square, and each was armed with a
large bowie knite-nO more. 1t was mid
night-a night without moon or stars
Black pitchy clouds enveloped the sky, and
slight sitting mist rendered the shadows
OF the earth more intense. Hence the room
where the duel was about 10 begin was
wrapped i'll rayless darkness. The com
! batants could not even see the blades of
their own knives.
AT first, they both stopped and stealthily
united and took off their shoes, 80 as to
make the least possible noise in walking
over the floor. The same thought had
/ struck item at the same time-tO mannu-
Yer for the vantage ground.
Thomas moved in circle, softly as a cat,
around the apartment, till he got within a
few feet of the corner where his enemy had
first been placed, and then paused to listen.
For four or five seconds he could hear
nothing i'll the grave-likc silence but the
quick beats of his own busy heart. Pres
entity, however, there crept into his ear a
scarcely audible sound, as Of suppressed
breathing, in the corner Of the room which
be had previously left and then lie knew
that bis Toe was trying the same strategem.
The rulse was repeated thrice, with a like
result. At length Thomas concluded to
stand perfectly still and await Johnson's
approach. MOtiOnlesG now himself, and all
ear, soon lie could distinguish a soft rust
lins Loise, like the dropping Of fakes of
wool, Circling around The floor and cradu-
ally advancing toward him.
Al last, when the sound appeared within
about three feet of the lawyers position,
ne suddenly made bounding plunge with
his knife, aimed in the dark air, where he
supposed his vic,im to be. His blade
struck against that Of the other, and a few
sparks OF fire rolled at the fierce collision,
ami ieii expiring on the floor
And then. for an instant, the seconds
without tlte door heard a sharp ringing of
steel, Il grOaH, fall, and all again was
silent as the tomb. The duel at midnight
had ended, but how ? They were appalled,
at the terrible question.
Waiting some minutes and hearing no
thing more, Col. Morton and the stranger
prepared light, unlocked the door and
en,ered. The spectacle was most affecting.
There lay the bloody corpse of the duellst,
Johnson, manglcd dreadflIlv, and above it
stood C.e erect and imposing form of the
laWyeF-EhODIas-Im y not Il cut on
his skin or rent in his clothing.
lie started back as the flashing light daz-
zled his eyes, and growing pale as the
dead at his feet, exclaimed i'll accents of
immeasurable an9uish-"Oh, God! how
shall | endure to meet my dear wife, with
this nuuerOuS gore on my hands! Such
stains would de!ile the very gates of heav-
ell, and blacken the floor of hell ITSELF"
lie did, however, afterwards meet EN-
ma and her babe but we shall not attempt
to paint the scene, a week subsequently,
he was shot To pieces in his own office,
Willie employed in writing after night.
The assassin was not known, but supposed
to be - younger brother of the duelst
johnson.
/ he stranger who acted i'm the combat
as the second Of Thomas was, indeed, as
he had said. from Texas, and then travel
ing through Mississippi, and was the
hraVrst man, perhaps, that ever drew the
breath Of lite-Jamrs bowie, who fell only
with the Alamo, wh hen his red knife was
drunk with the blood Of MeXicaus.