The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-08-10
HENRY CLAY AND COL. BOWIE.

Henry Clay USED 10 tell story OF
his own experience, which was al
ways listened to with eager interest.
Upon a certain occasion, in his early
manhood, MIR. Clay was travelling in a
public stage coach in Tennessee, His
fellow passengers were a young lady
and her husband-the latter evidently
an invalid and a man in the front
corner, so mufied mp in fur-ined
cloak that his features were concealed.
He appeared to be rather under than
over the medium size, and was eyi-
dently enjoying refreshing slumber.
BY and by big, brown faced, braWny
ruffian got into the coach, smoking a
rank, coarse grained cigar. He gazed
around fercely, as though he would
impress upon the minds of his new
companions that he could chew up
and swallow any one who dared to
interfere with him. In short, he was
half horse and half alligator, with a
goodly sprinkling Of panther and
grizzly bear thrown in" He pulled
forth huge volumes of smoke without
the least concern for the comfort Of
his companions.
Presently the lady, who seemed to
be growing sick, whispered to her hus
band, and the husband, in the politest
manner possible, asked the stranger if
he would not throw away his cigar,
as the smoke greatly discommoded his
wife. With an impudent, staggering
stare the fellow replied, interlarding
his speech with several oaths:
Il Ireckon I've paid for my place.
I'll smoke as much as I-please.-
I'd like to see somebody stop me-"
He looked dangerous as he glared
around, and it was very evident that
he was used to quarrel and strife, and,
furthermore, struggle with him
might have been deadly one. Tie
young man who had spoken to him
shrank back, and was silent. The
lady lowered the sash by her side for
a breath Of fresh air.
Mr. Clay felt every gallant instinct
OF his soul aroused. He considered
for d moment whether he should in
terfere and was about to do so, when,
suddenly, but very quickly, the cloak
ed figure IN the corner assumed an up
right position, suffering the furTed
mantle to fall back without a particle
of excitement. thereby revealing the
small, but well knit, muscular frame
of a man plainly dressed in a closely
buttoned frOck-coat, with face rather
pale, and pair Of bright gray eyes
that cleaned like polished steel-and
those strange eyes quickly attracted
the attention Of the ferocious smoker
With terrible calmness this quiet
man passed his hand under his col
lar at the back of his neck. and deli
berately drew forth a long, glittering
and ugly looking knife from its sheatl
in that singular place.
Stranger" he said, my name i:
Colonel James Bowie. If you do no
put that cigar out of the window il
less than fifteen seconds, I'll put this
knife through your heart, as sure a
| deathr'
Bowie was known all through tn,
southwest as desperate fighter, anC
the inventor Of the terrible Bowi
knife"
Clay said that he could never for
get the expression Of the colonel:
eyes at that moment They told, a
Enthusiastically as signs can tell, tina
the threat would certainly be fulfilled
and this conviction evidently impress
ed itself upon the mind of offender
During q very few seconds his eye
met those OF Bowie. With all hi
brute strength he was the weake
man, and he quailed. With a NUT
tered curse he threw his cigar away
upon which Colonel Bowie coolly Re
turned MS knife to its sheath, an
without another look or word re
folded his cloak about him and Ia
back as before At the next stopping
place the ruf1ian got out and took
seat with the driver.