Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1840-05-23

tti.Ibdluutss oulDllCilliJ Jul VI tuO INV W
fire to form the third angle Of a triangle,
while | made the Triangle square by ia
king position directly opposite my friends
second, and equi.distant from either prin-
cipal. The signal was given and Free
love fired Instantly, but missed. turned
TO Henderson who had thus risked his life
for the sake, as any one would suppose, OF
better aim at his antagonist. He was
standing there as cody as.ever, with his
pistol cooked in his hand, and as he raised
lis familiar weapon to level with his op-
ponents breast, his dark eve all tho while
fixed sternly ON Freeloye, (Nho, to do bin
Justice stood this fearful trial well, J l al
most Involuntary closed nv eyes, for |
knew his bullet would be fatal. l was
mistaken. He paused for moment, then
mutiered to himself, loud enough though
for all to hear, who'd have thought a
scoundreI could be a brave man. and
fired in the air.
Freeloye's face from pale became scar
! let. never saw man so angry. 800
YOU call this the satisfaction ofa gentle.
man? shouted he fuiously. Il demand
another shot
The seconds looked at each other and
at Henderson. Certainly said the lat.
ter, with look Of the most sovereign con
tempt at Freelove. 4 now reg Ell having
come, for was certain one would fall,
and perhaps bo,h' Henderson's manner
told me too plainly that he would mol
again fire in the AIR. But here we met
an unlocked for interruption. Teo or
three carriages came in view, Tor it was
now rapidly olearing,) driving along the
road al rapid rate, an short distance
behind appeared long train Of heavy
wagons. 81 there was no alternative
bur to wal, for bali an hour, no pleasant
idea under any circumstances. In The ear
| Is damp air, and rendered sill mare irk-
some BY the almost certainty that We
should have corpse to carry home AT The
lend Of The time, or 10 change the ground.
Freelnve's impotence at once Suggested
The latter So il vas determined t. retire
behind the sudden angle Of she hi h white
leuce above mentioned.
The seconds proceeded to measure the
ground nfresh. And by some oversight
the former line Of direction was not
changed 80 that now instead of the line Of
fire being parallel to the fence, it was al
right angles with it. The consequence
Of this mistake (Which the ineyperience OF
the seconds, Ereeove and myself,preven-
ted our noticing, and which ilenderson's
care,essncss and contempt for his oppo-
nent hindered him from ohserving,) vas,
that one Of the principals, Henderson, had
10 stand with his back to the fence.
Tho word was given. Are you ready
One two--,hree-.fre!' Both pistols
went of at She same moment, making but
one report. Freelove uttered scream OF
PAIN ,ha,.drew his second and myself i'm
metia,ely 10 his side. Henderson's ball
50 true was his aim. had struck The middle
fingers Of his hand, crushing them. bone
land all, against the stock of his pistol,
which alone saved his life. He had m
other wound. The finding this out did
not take two seconds, not half so long as
The relating it has, and turned instantly
10 look at Henderson, who had made no
noise, aud whom we Supposed was nn.
wounded. To my surprise he was laying
motionless on the damp earth, and his Sc
cond (who had first supposed him untouch-
ed, aud on seeing him fall had sprung To-
ward him, hut too late to prevent his fall
ins,, leaning with horror stricken face
over the body. | was by him in mo-
ment. His right temple was crushed in
-FreeIove's bullet had gone clean
through his brain; he was stone dead.
/ The age.like Silence ola few moments
that followed, silence ofregret and aso-
nv with all concerned, was broken by the
voice of a new conner. We looked up,
/ and what was my aslonIshment to see
l.voung lieutenant A., who had jlst arrived
unexpectedly from Europe, heard the
particulars Of the affair aud its intended
settlement, and had started for the duel
ground TO lalS his sisters quarrel into his
own hands, and prevent the risk OF the
! life ofhis best friend--his future brother.
ia-law-for Miss A., and Henderson
were to have been married in n month.
AS first exclamation, when he saw the
corpse, was---sHIerciful Heaven! can all
this be reaIi,y? But as his tlanched face
glanced from the body to the ground, It's
expression changed instananrooslv.
why, vino measured off this ground!
said he in a voice Of anger aud amaze.