FIVE MINUTES ONLY.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4600, 2 October 1883, Page 2

FIVE MINUTES ONLY.

The strangers emptied their glasses, called for more, and then, glancing malignantly around, they launched, forth in furious abuse of Texas and Texans. , As they ceased, Dusenbery, having taken in the situation at a glance, arose and advanced towards the strangers. The Fort Worth men put up their pistols, and sank back in breathless amazement as Dusenbery marched up to the table at which the strangers, sat. His flashing eyes, his heaving breast, his five feet of towering form, reduced the spectators to speecblessness. Even the. strangers paused and seemed impressed. " Gentlemen," said Dusenbury, diving 'into his trousers and bring up an ancient silver watch, "you have wounded the finest feelings in my nature in your remarks about Texas, and you must, re* tract them or-™— But never, mind. I will give you five minutes to retract in—|rYe minutes ( to secure your safe return to home and friends —five minutes to avoid a grave upon the lonesome plain—five minutes 2" An awful silence fell upon the crowd. The blood curdled in the veins of every Fort Wortbian listener. What! Had they for years been treating this fire-eating '

terror with scarcely veiled contempt?. Had they been absolutely courting death? But just then one of the strangers recovered his power of speech, and said, "Why, stranger, if you feel that" way about it, of course we'll. We didn't mean it for you or any of your friends, but was just talking on loose like." And with that they all four got up and slunk out, their six-shooters flopping feebly against their hips, and their very spurs looking drooped and weedy as they went. With the closing of the door, Dusenbery's eye reeled in its socket. The excitement which bad thus far held him up gave way, .and he collapsed, a flabby little heap, upon the floor. The assembled citizens crowded round him, eager to offer attention to the hero of the hour; and at last he was rehabilitated sufficiently to admit of his being sent home in charge of a special and confidential iiriend. " Why, Doozey, my boy, you took us all by! surprise! We never thought you wer^ a fighter." "Didn't you?" "No. Wftj, don't you know that those are four of the worst men iv the cattle business ? And we expected every minute to see them go to shooting. Were you armed ? " '" Well, I had a pistol for show, but I don't b/elieve it was loaded ;■ and I couldn't have fired it anynow." " Great Heaven, man, suppose they had refused to retract, what on earth would you have done ?" Busenbery looked round to see if anyone was passing, pulled his friend's ear close down to his lips, and whispered, "I'd have extended: the time." ■