The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-09-15

whether there was good ground ior THIS
opinion, picked quarrel with him and sent
him challenge coupled with the agreeable
assurance that be would aei,her accept an
explanation nor apology. The Major pro-
ceeds with his account:
1.-The dear people were all agog again
there ;ras 10 be fight alter all. My
friends, who had hitherto stood sponsors tor
my bravery, surrounded me with undated
confidence. My opponents sneered and
prosnostica,ed that would creep GU, Of II.
felt cool and determined would submit
10 no destinations OF such character, and
made all the necessary preparations.
was rather Indifferent TO the result. had
no property 10 leave, no will TO make, no
family 10 provide ior-l might be cut of,
Il is true, al an early period, aol full OF
promise, but il was not Of my seeking
Come What may, this meeting was TO take
place. Ny ttieud Gov. Geddes, lent ne
his carriage and horses, and a case OF fine
hair triggers. My surgeon was engaged
and The whole city on the qui ripe, for the
duel. slept that nigh, al the house OF
friend, and several acquaintauces had as
sembled there to set up with me, talk over
the matter, and make arrangements for the
morning. Sitting up with person about
10 fight duel is something like sitting up
with dead man; all was serious, solemn
and grave; no wiIticism, no attempts to
keep fictitious spirit. They all talked
as If some important event was on the taps.
| threw myself on the bed to take short
repose, and fell into per,urbed sleep. !
was restless and uneasy, tossing to aud fro !;
hideous dreams and specires flpa,ed IN my
imagination was awoke by hearing the
servan, below grludng coffee. My friends
we're whispering losetaer 10 the alcove. |
felt wreiched--my lips were parched, and
my head ieyerish aud confused. ! arose at
dawn and took cup of strong coilse, and all
things being ready, we go, into the carriage
aud set of for the field of honor! 1t was a
beautiful morning-the air was pure aud
balsamic- the eastern sky was streaked with
orange unts, and the mist was fading from
the hllis-the birds we're singing, and the
tall pines, we're waving gently IN The morn
ing breeze-lhe world never looked more
beautiful,
The morn in russell mantle clad
Walhed DER The dew Of yon high eastern hill
SuAEsFEARE.
and was probably about to quit this world
so fresh and gay end beauteous-in the
season OF youth, with every bright and en-
couraging prospec, before me, not By Eel
disease or decay OF nature, or sudden visi
tation Of Providence, but victim 10 wha
was called honor. was either TO kill {
man who had never wronsed me, or NEE
my death at his hands without having evel
wronged him. What madness, folly anC
iniatuatlon yet tyraHt custom had stamped
The impress Of chiyalry upon such appeals
and they could not he evaded. | pufeC
from me several heavy signs, as these ant
similar thoughts passed through my mind
felt no fear-l felt the same regret that
should have iel, for another person in my
situation. The carriage drove on rapidly
and my friends regarded me with an inter
est that was quito painful, and wished
the affair was over. AT length We reached
the appointed spot, il was beautiful valley
Oh fine level piece of grouad, in the
neighborhood Of two or three cottages
every thing looked green, fresh aud beauli.
,nl. On alightlug from the carriage
found large party Of gentlemen present
some had arrived in gigs, and some OF
horseback, and some pedestrians, together
with few co'ored gentlemen, and manI
3 u1fc1otiapaCs,o Al.
neighborlng cottages having unders!oot
that something Of importance was going Oh
In few minutes my antagonist and hi
friends made their appearance, and the nc
cessary preparations commenced. As
was the challenged person | had the choic
Of weapons, distance, and position. chos
ten paces-lhe parties to stand back /
back at that distance, and wheel and fire a
the word. chose this mode for seyera
: rcasons--ii was 10 consonance with III
rules OF honor, which did not necessa ri
;. claim victim by direct and deadly aim
Il also gave a chance for both or either /
,. escape, besides | did not wish 10 incur III
Il stern gaze Of nay antagonists deadl
scowl, tossing Of the hat, and some mex
&c dramatic action for effect, 10 throw me O
!. my guard TO shake my nerves a. Marsha
+, tried 10 the case OF Webb. No; seeing IN
Il man until brought face TO face by the wor
!, fire, and the sudden wheeling give no nt
.. vantage TO either, aud was deemed by al
r. considering the slight cause of offence,
| proper aud expedlent. One of my seconc
stepped lover the ground, he had short leg
and | amagined that ten PAGES had actual
dwindled into SIX. We took our stan
Is back to back, | looked around and faun
oil that my man was on direct line with IN
T. aud | moved step 10 the right to bring hi
on level. All things were ready-it
10 spectators looked on anxiously-the Que
OF ton was asked, Gentlemen, are va
~ ready 2" We both answered with clea
r. strong voice, ready. Wheel and fire.
10 At the word wheeled with an action an
&c position which would have done no discret
10 i, 10 Hamlet on seeing his fathers ghos,