Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-11-15
The Hazard Of the Die.

few years before the dreadful insurrection Of the
negroes al ST Domingo iaat beautiful French colony
was al the height Of lis grandeur and prosperity and
its cultivation and industry had been the Of intro
Quoting into il more gold than the mines Of South Ameri
ca had even furnished the avaricious Spanards with.
This precious metal indeed circulated there with the
greatest activity and with luxury and extravaganza,
as usual kept pace every Kind of pleasu-ab!e enjoy
ment Neither is this - be wondered at Under the
burning atmosphere ofhe tropics the passions naturally
quick become ardent, and even volcanic while riches,
which il great give rise 10 theIn offer every
means Of gratifying them.
AT the period TO which allude namely, the year
l7Ss-the predomnating passion OF the wealthy IN.
habitants Of 81. Domingo the baneful and pesten
of gaming. Still, the of calculation IN which
address and Skill neutralze in degree the chances
of fortune sufficient Tor the grasplng inquiet
ude and covetous ideas Of lis votares. They looked
forward 10 those games in which the fascinating expec
tations Of gaining large sum by few throws Of the
dice likely to be realized and fortune made
or lost in lie Of a few hours So far, indeed,
was this thrs, for gaming carried that it uncom.
mon occurrence horses and estates with the com
plemen, Of negroes belonging to them, depending on
the throw Of the dice. They (the dicel were placed
upon the table by dozens, when the player picked out
three ard commenced his acts ofdesperatien. submitting
himself 10 the power OF fa'e
In the year 1893, Captain 81. Every, the son OF
very rich sugar proprietor, aboat twenty years
of age ani although possessed of an immense fortune
had embraced the profession OF arms and was serving
in regiment nj Port Prince In the management of
the sword and pistol he qalte without a rival and
brave temerity. Still he took nothing like I'M
fair advantage Of his dexterity and when engaged IN
conflict he generally contrived slightly to wound his OPP
poncns. In this he la ky, insolence; al
though lie had been himself occasionally wounded and
in his dues had left many traces of blood IN
the society Of ~. Domingo He possessed many ami
able qualities although he feared than loved
for as much his upright conduct and prepossessng
could not make amends for the iinpetuosty OF
his character his propensity foduelng and his attach
gamingor is unfortunately necessary to add
that he games.er.
One evening in house or public resort for gaming in
Port Prince, few Of the inhabitants were seated
around table waiting until sufficient number Of per
arrived enaole them play. AT length one Of
them called out, Who will play T. will play" said
the captain of old French friga,e who happened
be at that time in the tswn and taking the box, threw
the dice, win or lose as he thought the amount of a
small sum Of money which put upon the table. OF
course he ignorant of the gameat all events of the
stake-about to be played.
Monsieur lie Commandant,' exclaimed Captain St.
Every, you have won take up your winnings at
the time pushing towards him several bags of gold
AT the appearance OF their the captain of the
frigate shrunk back with asonishment, supposing he
had only the risk of winning losing the small sum
he the table, which did exceed few crown
pieces probably and gently pushing from
him the bags addressed the party thus =
"Geniemen. should be wanting not only in good
manners, but in honesty if appropri.
myself these the winning Of which never,
in the least degree contemplated having, only as
thought played for the trihing sum saw lying on the
table therefore look upoa this quan
tity of gold as properly my right"
"Sir" said Capt. ST Every, "you must take it; for
fyou had lost; ysu would have been obliged pay the
same sum-"
"You are mistaken, sir replied the naval captain il
you think do not consider my honor endangered
in refusing pay debt wrch never contracted. nor
in refusing to accept of 50 large sum which never
entertained idea Of winning"
monsieur lie Commandant," rejoined Captain st.
Every, eevatug his voice the highest pitch 81" you
had lost you should have paid. would have made
you"
There was in this language and in the tone in which
the uarIa delivered. an III
cation which could escape the notice Of the naval
captain; and he answered il in a similar The
result was challenge, which the exerions Of the by
ISLANDERS not able 10 prevent.
Sir" said Captain 81. Every TO his adversary, as
do not wIss TO take any advantage you which ny
known ability in the Of the sword aud the pistol
gives me, will offer you arms o. equality. Let pis-
to be brought here Instantly and the chance ofthe dice
shall determine which Of the two shall blow the 9th.
cr's BRAIN
feeling OF horror agitaed the whole of the society
present several persons left the ROOM trembling for
the consequence and resolved be witnesses of
the bloody conflict; whilst others, hardened in
their nature. and excited by brutal curiosity. APP
preached the combatants, who sitting
exactly opposite each other, and separated only by
table four feet in .idth Whilst third person
loading the pistol the silence Of death pervadcd the
sembly and the calm only interrupted by
words which passed between the adversaries, but not
Of nggravatng natures for ii observed that they
alone preserved GOODNESS OF temper in these fearful
moments
When the pistol was charged each of the parties mi
nuely examined il and finding in proper order
Of them placed il the table on which lying in
heaps. the dice. Each drew three and il was
decided that the naval captain should have the FIRST
throw. lie took up the box with firm hand, and put
ting into il the instruments which award him
either his life or death he shook them, and threw
eleven.
That is good throw Comm,ndant," said Captain
ST. Every, suspendng for a minute his throw
The chance is your favor; but listen tn if Il
turns cut IL appears 10 will, that fortune has
favored you, beg you will have neither mercy nor
pity me for. assured, you shall have from
me. Moreover should consider either $ a coward
that would think of sparing the other"
Sir" observed the Commsndant, - do not stand in
need OF your impairment circumstances to teach
hsw 10 act ~ this any other affair"
st Every then took the box, and having put into IL
the dice, threw them. They numbered fifteen.
The company presen, horrar stricken
Monsieur le Commandant calmly rose from his scat,
and presenting 10 his antagonist rather to his
my the firm attitude Of brave man. was thus address
sed by him
Your life belongs 20 me. air." throwing down the
dice on the table and taking the pistol in hi. hand
Recommend your soul 10 God
Fire, srw replied the Commandant placing his
hand on his heart ian honest man il always ready
so''--Hc wa. not allowed finish the sentence
ST. Every's ball scattered his brains about the room
and also upon the person, Of several ofthose who
present