Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-04-21

lIUe~. ioi, HOW save tUclT SOOu uIOuu-
swords, they weapons had none;" there
was no sqnircs either, nor pursuivan's, nor
nad they shields, or lances, or vizors-
They dispensed with all the cumbrous
forms Of past usages, and arrayed them
selves IN the simplest attire, trusting to one
weapon alone, and their own strength of
arm, for death or defence. And. indeed,
it was most fearful sight, to see two gal
liant gentlemen thus arrayed against each
other. The place selected for the combat
was four or five miles distant from the city;
and, although they met at an early hour,
(abuut 7o'clock in the morning the crowd
of spectators already assembled was to me
a source Of no small establishment. hap
pencd there accidentally, and hearing on !
all sides that great duel was about to
take place, I determined to add one to the
numacr Of Gods image, both white and
black, that were following the gentlemen
combatants, who were riding rapidly
ahead.
After violent struggle reached the
place Of action just as the parties were ar
ranging themselves Cor The contest. There
were two friends on either side, mounted
on horseback. and one of the seconds, in a
very clear tone of voice, was reading the
rules that were to be observed during the
progress Of the duel, which as well as ]
could hear them, were as follows /: That
when sound was given, there should be
cessation of hos,lltes, when the seconds
would interfere and know the challenging
party were satisfied. Secondly, that the
parties should especially avoid wounding
the horses of each other, and, if pe.adven
,ure that occurred, the contest should dis
continue until the farther will of the comba
tants was erained, and not to be con-
Quoted on foot as it was in olden times,
when Philip of Tancredi killed his oppo-
neni's horse at the pass Of Roncesvales,
and the battle was carried on foot to foot
and arm to arm. ! was very much pleased
with this last regulation. lnasmuch as am
very much attached to that noble animal,
| the horse and although felt deeply for
| the lives of the gentlemen themselves, yet
no small portion of my interest was gwen
to their noble steeds; for certainly have
seldom seen two finer animals than those
on which they were mounted. When the
word was given to take their places, the
horse which tho French gentleman rode
appeared to understand, instinctivc!y, the
order. There he stood with his neck proud
" arched, as immovablv as if he had been
a fixture Of the Terra Firma. The other
animal was evidently one not practised; he
had nothing to recommend him save his
fine presence and his gallant spirit. AT
tho word ''chnrge," the first horse moved
as slowly and with us much o"oiness as il
he were perfectly aware of the duty II
which he was engaged. To the other, i
was new scene Of action. and his rider
had to use no little exertion and manage
ment TO get him forward in the proper direc
ton. for IN this kind Of warfaro'as much de
ponds upon the government of the horse as
skill in the use of the weapon. Both gen
,lemen were evidently goodiriders, for, be
1 ing Virginian, consider myself a goo'
equesr lan;llke the tabled Centaurs, the dnei
zens Of that State may be said to be borl
on horseback. The science of the broad
sword l know nothing about; hence,
could not appreciate any cxcellency of skill
in that respect. could Judge only from
their countcnances that both combatant
were resolved to exert themselves to tn
utmost. There was no tremulousness, n
uuivering of the muscles on the part of Ell
ther. Their nerves seemed to be brace
for the struggle, and could not but eXpe
rience the deep regret, natural to ever
q mind of sensbilIty, that two such brav
spirits were thus met in deadly strit
against each other. When their sword
f met, after the word was given, the slight
est sound was audible amid the large con
4 course assembled; and endured at tn
. moment a sense almost Of suffocat on
n For a moment my eye was turned away
# When | looked again, they were abou
n passing each other a second time, whe
/, the contest was arrested for the instant i
;. consequence of severe cut which th
H.. French gentleman had given the horse {
Il the other. This being contrary to tn
+. regulations, they returned to their forme
/ positions, and the charge was again re
IS newed The interest was now increase
" TO very painful intensity, and | felt sa
apprehensions that the struggle would b
) most deadly one. Accordingly the
again met, and some severe cuts and ,hrus
, were aimed and parted on either slde-
Is The American gentleman gave his advo
~ sary blow upon the head which, had
" not been for his hat, might have been MOI
"a serious; as it was, it caused him to reel
n his saddle. and we at a distance began
"a think it was mortal injury We we
M relieved, however, by percelvlng that
os recovered himself almost Immediately, al
Il made most strenuous eXertlons to rcln
n. the blow of his opponent. His practise
a horse instantly wheeled, and both m
q breast to breast. could see that he us'
70 his utmost strength to give mortal thru'
~ but, instead Of reaching his antagonist,
in was driven with full force into the thro
nd of his gclanl horse; stream OF gore !
e, stanlly issued from the wound, and Il
a. poor animal reeled to and fro, paving 4
We ensanguined sod, endeavorlng to preser
a his position; but the loss of blood, notwlt
" standing the exerlons Of the several &c
a; tlemen on either side o stop 1t, soon Caus