Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-15

of a singular affair in the memoirs OF the Ouch
ess d'Abrantes.
..Among the generals who had placed them
selves in absolutely hostile opposition to the Sc
neral.in-chief, Lanusse, the brother OF HIM who
| lately commanded at Besancon. was one OF the
| most fiery. One day an expression SO horrible.
and at the same time 80 alarming for the safety OF
the army, was reported to Junot, that from that
moment the favorable prepossessions with which
the bravery of Lanusse had inspired him, were
utterly DESTROYED. 81 came TO hate HIN, at
| last said he to ME, when relating the circum-
stances Of their quarrel.
Amicable appearances were nevertheless kept
| up, but their hearts were estrangedN one DAY
siurat, wishing to reconcile the two generals, IN
vited them to dine with him, together with Lam
mes. Bessieres, and believe Lasalette, who was
then aid-de-camp to the general-in-chief.
Dinner passed of agreeaby, and the party al
| forwards fell to play. Daring game at 6omHose,
the conversation turned Oh military operation
which the army was about to make, when La
nusse suffered sarcastic smile to escape hlm;-
| il exasperated Junot. Bessleres, who sat next
to him, kept him quiet for few moments. La
nusse, misinterpreting the tranquility when pre-
vailed around him, continued talking ABOUT 'ne
state of the army in very INDIGENOUS terms IN
addressing Junot, Junot'' said he, 'iend me
! ten louis! am bankrupt Il have no money
brvre me- replied Junot dryly. As ne had
| bean of gold before him, Lanusse, eyins hm
stead(a.tly, reIoined 'How am to take your an.
swer, Junot?' Just as you please asked
YOU to lend me ten of the louis that are lying be-
lire YOU And answer, that 1t there Is money
Iyina before me, there is none for traitor Ike
yuu.' None but scoundre could use such an
expression,' cried Lanusse, besides himself with
| rage.
s.Ia moment all were ON their legs, 'Ja-
not! Lanussep cried they, cndeavoripg to soothe
them, for. at the epithet employed b, Lanusse,
Junot had become furious All at once ie APP
peared calm. Hear NE, Lanusse, SAID he, In
voice. the mildness OF which formed strange
contrast with his choeric trembling, hfarken To
me: called you traitor; don't think you
are sol You called me scoundrel; you don t
think me ooe; for which we are both brave TEL
lows. But, look you, we must light: one OF us
must de- hate you, because you hate the man
whom love and ADMIRE we must hSh'' ana
that Immediately. swear that before 60 to
he'd to.uicht this affair shall be settled"
All the witnesses of the scene were sensible
that such words as had been exchanged demand
cd blood. and even life. But, what was to be
done: The general prescribed duels; he would
not have any in his army. If the affair were to
be deferred till the next day, he would know Of
il. and then il would be impossible to settle it
Murat's garden was spacious; it ssoPed down TO
the Nile Torches were lighted. and they might
fight that very instant. 1t was nine O'Clock, and
quite dark.
What weapon shall we takes' said Junot.
a pretty question: said Lanusse,' pistols to be
sure Euery one looked at him in establishment,
He had been insulted; according to the laws oil
duelling he bad right to choose the weapons
that should be employed. All were surprls'
ell that he should prefer one winch, IN Jun0ts
hand, Was sure to prove fatal. 1t is we'll known
that he was the most expert marksman with the
pistol, not in France, but IN Europe. AT twenty
four PAGES he never missed an ace, and could al
WAYS cut the ball in two. and that exactly in the
middle. against the blade of knife Il viii
not light YOU with PISTOLS said he coolly to La
nusse; YOU are no marksman, you would not hit
barn door, We ought to fight upon equal terms.
We have our swords; let US CO.
Restores, who was Junot's second along with
Murat, whispered 10 him that he was a foolish
fellow, as Lanusse was capital swords'nan. and
he might perhaps stand no chance with HIM. -
Consider too said Murat, 8. that it is for life
or death" Junot would NOT listen to any thing.
They proceeded TO the garden, and by the way
Lanusse again raised his voice, aud employed
some very offensive expressions with reference "a
Junot and the general in-chief "Lanusse, SAID
! Junot. you are acting now like man without
heart and yet you are brave man: one would
suppo Sc you were trying to screw up your coul
age" Lanusse replied with volley Of abuses. La
. nesse silenced him. "Come along, Lanusse, y
in the energetic manner with which he adorned
all he said; for at this period and even much la.
ter. never heard him speak two words but the
third was an oath. ''Come along, hold your
tongue. You are going to cut one another's
throats-what the devil would you have more!
All that you say to him now is positively thrown
away.
When they were on the ground, the seconds
examined it, and they had good mind not to
They had previously been intimate. and
know that Lanusse bad even laid my husband
under obligation. take pleasure in acknow.
Lodging this.
fLanusse was remarkable for bravery, and
,r ,f Tho most distinguished officers of the army