The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-10

m.Thare is no one here who will be my
friend, said Mentz; so evidently sobered and
subdued by tho singular composure and self
possession OF his antagonist, that all present
held him in contempt, and no one stirred.
"'No matter cried Arnold, Il will myself
lorego the same privilege.
- And your weapons Z sud Mentz.
"'Are here, cried Arnold, drawing them
from his bosom; a surer pair never drew
blood. The choice is yours,
"The company began now to fancy that
Arnold had equiyocated in disclaiming skill as
a duellist; and from his invincible composure,
thought him moro fatal master OF the weapon
than the bully himself The latter also par
took Of this opinion.
g. Young man. he cried, in voice clouded
and low; but stopped and said no further.
Your choice p said Arnold, presenting tho
pistols.
"Mentz seized one desperately, and said
- Now, name your distance
g.. Blood-thirsty woolfr said Arnold, there
shall be no distance!' He then turned and
addressed the company.
"'Genllemen,' said he, deem me not either
savage or insane, that | sacrifice myself and
The brutal wretch thus before your eyes, and
to certain and instant destruction. For me,
confess have no value in life. Her whom
loved have sworn TO forget and II existed
thousand years should probably never see
her again. This ruifian is coward, and
fears to die, though he does not fear daily to
merit his death. have long heard OF his
baseness, and regard him as an assassln-ihe
enemy Of the human race and of God--a
dangerous beast-whom it will be n mercy
and virtue 10 destroy. My own life would
well be rid OF, but would not fling il away idly
when its loss may be made subseryient to the
destruction of vice and the relief OF humanity
Here. then, yield my breath, and here, too,
this trembling and shrinking coward shall
close his course of debauchery and murder
My companions, farewell; should any one of
you hereafter chance to meet Gertrude de
Saale. tell her nobly flung away life which
her falsehood had made me despise.
"'And now, recreant,' he said, in fierce
tone, turning suddenly towards Mentz, plant
thy pistol To my bosom, as will plant mine
TO thine. Let one of the company cry three,
and the third number be the signal to fire.
" With an increased paleness in his coun-
tenance but with even more ferocity and firm
ness, Arnold threw off his cap, displaying
ui5 HiSH UtoW dHu SiOsSy llHSlCtS. Ai1o APo
were closed and firm; and his eyes. which
glistenad with deadly glare, were fixed on
Mentz. He then placed himself in an atti-
tude Of firing broadened his exposed crest
full before his foe; and with stamp of fury
and Impotence raised the weapon. The brow
beaten bully attempted to do the same; butthe
pistol, held loosely in his grasp, whether by
accident or intention, went off before the sig.
nal. Its contents passed through the garments
Arnold who levelling the muzzle of his own,
cried calmly On your knees, base slave!
vile dog Down or you die
i" Unable any longer to support his frame,
the unmasked coward sunk on both knees,
and prayed for life with right earnest vehe-
mence. Again, wild shouts Of applause and
delight, and peals of riotous laughter, stunned
his ears. As he rose from his Illuminating
posture, Arnold touched him contempuously
with his foot Groans and Kisses now began
to be mingled with several missiles. Mentz
covered his face with his hands, and rushed
from the room. He was never subsequently
seen among u.s."