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

! y
you really think that your mother
came to your bedside last night? said
Thompson.
i do, was the reply.
The men looked at each other with
establishment.
And more, continued the duelist,
4 believe that l am to fall by the hand
Of Colonel James Bowie
What are your reasons for think
ing so ?
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 friend, who be.
queathed it to me, was the reply.
And you really think you are to
fall by his hand?
I 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 a man entered. Notwithstand.
ing the warmth of the season, hi. 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-
vorcd 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 I see the proprietor of this
house ?
1fyou mean Harvey Lang, I'm the
man, said Lang, rising.
The stranger surveyed him for u
moment from head to foot, and his
eyes flashed with a strange light.
i have brought message from
Jack Prince he said, slowly; and
again his eye wandered over the face
of the duelist. Suddenly he caught
sight Of the huge bowie knife which
Lang carried in his belt, and he ut
tered an exclamation Of surprise The
gambler heard it, and asked impati-
entity
We'll, what ia your message ?
Merely that Prince cannot meet
you, l,ssSuss ,Ns - esr;ously i'll. and
Stuff exclaimed the duelist, snap
ping his fingers. Confess at once, i,
he not afraid to meet me p
Afraid to meet you :? exclaimed
the other.
Yes, afraid + was the reply. He
is a coward P
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 a
voice hoarss with passion.
why, man cried the other, with
merry laugh, do you not know me
You hold in your hand weapon, the
very touch Of which should bring me
to your mind. If you would know
my name, look on the blade of your
knife, and you will see the letters, y.
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 menr shouted Lang,
in voice Of exultation. Several Of
the men sprang to the door and leaned
with their backs against it, James
Bowel beg your pardon Colonel
James Bowie he added with mock
ing bow, 4 have long wished to see
you, and now have you hear, can
not permit you to leave the house.
Indeed + said Bowie, smile hoy
ering around the corners of his mouth.
Am ! to understand that you intend
to force me to stay here, whether |
will or mo-?
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 have long wished to see
you, and now you are here | intend
to keep you. Pray, let me introduce
you to come of my friends. This is
Moses Lang, and he pointed to a
youth Of nineteen, who stood near
him.
i know him well, said Bowie, with
a sheer, and have no thanks to give
you, Harvey Lang, for the introduce
Zion. He is not worth them.
Sir + said the young man, coloring
with anger.
i 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 7 cried the
ILL. C., ILnr