The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-08-22

d'gnant at the culpable obstinacy Of
the Eng'ishman, peremptoriIy told
nm that If he did not Immediately
weigh his anchor and warp off, he
would cut his cable!
John Bull in a pithy reply, inter-
Iarded with many choice figures of
speech, dsfed Tim to cut his cable
Upon which the mate, tall, raw-bon-
ed Jonathan, seized the cooks axe.
and receiving a wink from the Cap
tam, with a few hearty strokes fairly
chopped it off! The vessel drifted a
short distance, when another anchor
was let 60, which brought her up
but lmprecations Of a horrid charac-
ter were showered down on the heads
OF the offending Jonathans--of which,
OF course, no notice was taken. But
the next day our American received
and invitation. couched in the follow
ing polite language, and ornamented
with expletlves which we will not CO.
Ply:
SRI have the honor to tell YOU
that last night you cut my cable with
out any provocation-Which is an in
suit will bear from no man. | am a
man OF honor-and am told that it is
the custom of the place to settle all
quarrels with pistols. Therefore | ex-
pect you will meet me on the Point
opposite the harbor, this evening at
six O'Clock, precisely, and apologize
for your ungent(emanly conduct or
settle the affair with pistols. l must
have satisfaction. | am, Sir, &c.
TIMoTHv TAURUS.
The American; Of course, took no
notice of this elegant epistle. A few
days afterwards, he met the English
man in public place, who, in the pre-
sence OF many merchants of the town
and sundry captains and supercar-
goes. OF various nations, addressed him
IN Il loud voice, which attracted gene
raj attention, as follows:
Sir, | ask you before these gentle
men, why you have declined accept
ing my challenge? You grossly insult
ed me-and then refuse to give me
the satisfaction which | had right to
expect. | now wish to know, sir, if
it is your intention to meet me like a
man Of honor, and exchange shots
or must l proclaim you coward?
''Sir," replied the American, who
was every inch a gentleman, and who
had often manifested a spirit prone to
resent the appearance of insult, II
have reason to believe that my char
acter is well and favorably known in
this pace. claim to be considered
a gentleman, and will never lose that
distinction by fighting a coarse and
vulgar b!ackguard--to which appella-
ton your appearance and conduct
convince me you have an undoubted
right. But, sir, if you will bring me
a document signed by three respecta-
bic merchants in this place, certifying
that have altogether mistaken your
character-and that you are entitled
to all the rights of a gentleman and a
man of honor, | will retract what
have said, and cheerfuly consent to
do my best to put a bullet through
your head. In the meantime,'' add
ed he sternly, "let me not be again
troubled with your impertinence."
The Eng'ishman, who expected a
different result, finding that the cur
rent was setting strongly against him.
turned on his heel, muttering as he
went of, "Certificate Certificate that
am gentleman? No--l won't gra.
tity the fellow so much as to bring
him certifcate?''
DUEL BETWEEN THE FRENcHMAN AMI
THE YANKEE.
We can hardly conceive of a char.
acter more abhorrent to the feelings
of a man whose mind has been dis.
|ciplned to virtue, than that of pro.
tessed or habitual duelIist. He must
be placed on par with the midnight
murderer, or the sneaking assassin
for his mind must be corrupt, and his
moral principles depraved. To shed
blood is his delight--and, expert with
the weapons used by ''men Of HONOR
he does it with but little risk to him.
self-and without danger of being
called to account for violating the
law of God and man, which says with
tremendous emphasis, 'sTHou SHALT
70 NO MuRnER.'' 1t is sometimes the
case, however, that a duellist insults
or challenges to the field, person
who is as cool and collected as him
self on these occasions-and equally
skilful in the use of arms, and to his
great confusion, and often times sor-
row, the result of the meeting is alto
gether different from what was ex.
pected.
nnnhar If wars since tho Anaa.