The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-06-15


companion, who, darker complexioned and
more sedate, was listening with gratified
smile to the prattle of being he evidently
loved.
"Not wishing to be observed by the
happy pair, moved away and began a
stroll among the other passengers. found
which is inevitable in the extreme south
west-that card-table had been impro-
vised, and that the single male passengers
were about to begin play. I knew that
brandy would follow, and my thoughts
were of the young couple, should brawl
ensue, which is the usual ending to card
gaming among the rude border men of
Texas. Caring very little for life, dis
pute generally ends with slash of the
knife, or a shot. A groan-the death-rat-
tle-and back they go to their cards as if
nothing extraordinary had happened.
"Among those at cards l noticed one
man who appeared to be bully of the
fire-eating order. His voice was the loud
est, and his oaths most plentiful. He had
produced bottle of spirits when I ap-
preached the table, and, to use his own
peculiar words, was preparing to take a
couple of sings out of the critter." l had
a presentiment that there would be trou-
BILE with that man. So, leaving the spot, l
went forward, and taking out my pistols,
l made an examination to be sure they
were in proper condition in ease necessity
called for their use. l then strolled to-
ward the bride and her groom. They were
watching the scenery which we passed on
the river with interest, and did not notice
me. Feeling uneasy, l sauntered back to
the card-table, and just in time to observe
scene at that time new to me. The bully
had lost all his money, and was accusing
the others, who seemed to be afraid of
him, of cheating, with such obscene oaths
that fairly turned away in disgust. He
had emptied his bottle, and his passions
were inf1amed the more at his losses. Evil
IDENTIFY in state of mind capable OF any
mischief, he left the party and walked for
ward to the spot where the young man and
his wife were sitting. 1 followed. He
stood for a moment bitterly cursing the
players who had tleeced him. Upon see
ing the beautiful face of the girl-bride, he
walked over to where she sat, and before
she was aware what his intentions were,
his arm was around her waist. I involun-
tarily stepped forward, but before l reach
ed him, the husband, whose attention had
been diverted by a scene on the river,
dealt the ruffian such a blow as laid him
on his back. Quickly recovering the sem
ses the blow had stunned, the drunken
brute pulled out knife and sprung at the
young man, who appeared like boy in
comparison with his assailant. | saw that
the Young husband was unarmed, and that
his life was in danger. There was no time
to lose-the lady had tainted. l caught
hold of the arm that held the knife, and
forced its holder back; but being power
full man, did not hope to cope with him
in main strength. My interference mad
dened him. With an oath he attempted to
free his arm. I told the asSailed party to
look after his lady-that l would attend to
the ruffian. A terrible struggle ensued
between us. felt that my life depended
on my getting out revolver. By this
time the oaths and imprecations of the baf-
fled drunkard had brought to the scene the
captain of the steamer and the rest OF the
passengers. l still managed to hold his
knife arm and thus controlled the weapon,
although cut in several places, from rolling
over each other on the deck. The captain
attempted to interfere. The rough charac-
ters who surrounded him threatened to
shoot him if he did. Let them fight it
out could hear them saying; BILL Bur
ton knows his business. It'll be all day
with that lean cuss in mint or two L
was becoming weak; therefore felt that
something decisive must be done. Gath
ering my strength for final effort, l gave
the enraged fiend sudden throw, letting
his arm, which l had held so persistently,
90 at the same moment. Quick as thought,
1 had out pistol, and, as he sprang at me
again, sent ball whizzing through his
head. With an oath gurgling in his throat,
he dropped dead at the feet of the or-look
erS.
"The philosophical Indifference of his
companions astonished me. fully expect
ed to be the victim of their revenge. 'Ye
done fust-rate, stranger; jest as good as l
could ha' done myself, remarked a big,
burly fellow, who had been one Of the
card players. Then speaking in whisper:
But look out for his brother Ned, when
YOU get in the neighbarhood of AUSTIN
With this advice, he walked away with his
fellows; and they we're soon deep in the
game of cards again, as if nothing unusual
had transpired. The captain, rough but
kind specimen of the river steamboat COM
mander, pointed to my clothing, which
was stained with blood, and cut in several
places. HeedinS little as to my appear
ance, looked around for the ones who had
been the involuntary actors in the bloody
scene, The captain told me they were in
his cabin; that the lady had received such
a shock that fears were entertained as to
her recovery; also that the young man was
restrained from coming to my help by the
onlookers, and could only be induced to
follow his wife, who had been taken away
by one Of the female passengers when the
fatal shot was fired.
GA change of clothing and little court
plaster soon put me in condition again.
owe arrived at Wharton late in the
afternoon, and found that the river would
admit OF farther journey up the stream.
Here the body of the desperate had shot
was given to the village authorities by the
captain, with statement of the manner in
which he met his death. 1t was evidently
a common occurrence. No attempts were
made to interfere with my liberty. A man
came with mule team and two negroes,
to take the badly away. AS the man look
ed at it, ne said, as if speaking to himself,
We'll, Bill Burton, l never thought you
would be doubled up by such thin fellah
as that Then, turning to his negroes,
continued: Tote this korps away! Come,