Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-09-16

why, You surely don't mean TO say
You really think that your mother
came to your bedside last night? said
Thompson.
/ do, was the reply.
The men looked at each other with
astonishment.
And more, continued the duelist,
i believe that | am to fall b. the hand
of Colonel James Bowie
What are your reasons for think
ing 500
The duelist drew his knife and
pointed to two letters stamped on the
blade.
Here are his initials. he said. The
knife formerly belonged to him.
And how did you come to get it {?
inquired Thompson.
Bowie gave it to 4 friend, who be-
queathed it to me. was the reply.
And you really think YOU are to
fall by his hand?'
4 do; and | shall not cease to think
so until know that he is dead
And yet you said that you were
not afraid Of him
And | am not. said Lang.
Have YOU ever met him asked
one of the men.
Never, was the reply.
At this moment the door opened,
and man entered. Notwithstand.
ing the warmth of the season, his fig
ure was enveloped in heavy cloak,
which concealed every part of his body
and leaving only a part Of his face
exposed to view. As he entered he
drew his hat closer over his eyes, and
| noticed particularly that he endea-
vorrd to conceal his face as much as
possible. Walking slowly towards
the centre of the room, he surveyed
the company for moment, and then
asked
Can see the proprietor of this
house ?
If You mean Harvey Lang, I'm the
man, said Lang, rising.
The stranger surveyed him for q
moment from head to foot, and his
eyes flashed with strange light.
i have brought a message from
Jack Prince, he said, slowly; and
again his eve wandered over the face
Of the duelist. Suddenly he caught
sight of the huge bowie knife which
Lang carried in his belt, and he Mt
tered an exclamation Of surprise. The
gambler heard it, aud asked impati-
entity
We'll, what is your message?
Merely that Prince cannot meet
you, because he is seriously i'll. and
Stuff exclaimed the duslist, snap
ping his fingers Confess at once, is
he not afraid to meet me-?
Afraid to meet YOU? exclaimed
the other.
Yes, afraid : was the reply. He
is a coward?
You are liar
The gamblers hand clutched the
handle Of his bowie knife, while the
deep blue eyes Of the stranger flashed
with rage
DO YOU know who ! am? exclaim-
ed the duelist.
Certainly was the reply. You
are Harvey Lang, the duelist, muir
derer, and gambler
Harvey drew his bowie-knife, but
even while it was uplifted, his eyes
encountered those Of the stranger,
and stood as if paralyzed.
Who are you?' he exclaimed, in
voice hoarse with passion.
Why, mani cried the other, with
a merry laugh, do you not know me :?
You hold in your hand a weapon, the
very touch of which should bring ma
to your mind. If you would know
my name, look on the blade Of your
knife, and you will see the letters, j..
B. which stand for James Bowie
Some men call me Colonel James
Bowie, and like the title
Are you Colonel Bowie? inquired
Lang, with start.
That is my name YVES the reply.
To the door men, shouted Lang,
in a voice Of exultation. Several of
the men sprang to the door and leaned
with their backs against it. james
Bowie-1 beg your pardon Colonel
James Bowie. he added with mock
ing bow, I have long wished to see
you, and now have you hear, / can
not permit you to leave the house.
Indeed said Bowie, a smile how.
ering around the corners Of his mouth.
Am I to understand that you intend
to force me to stay here, whether |
will or MOI
That's it exactly, was the reply.
You see, Colonel, I've heard so much
about, you, how you are always seek.
ing a quarrel with men of my stamp
gamblers, if you like the term bet
ter-that l have long wished to see
YOU, and now you are here | intend
to keep you. Pray, let me introduce
YOU to some of my friends. This Ia
Moses Lang and he pointed to a
youth Of nineteen, who stood near
him.
i know him WELL said Bowie, with
a'sneer, and I have no thanks TO give
you, Harvey Lang, for the introduc-
ton. He is not worth them.
SIR said the young man. coloring
with anger.
4 have said. was Bowie's reply
Your brother fell by my hand. and !
perceive that you are DESTROYS of the
same honor.
Fell by your hand cried the
Ill. $50 xn1la~