The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-10-21

Take that bird Of ill-omen,' continued Victor
who, probably from the effect Of the cool air, seei
more intoxicated than when he left the and be
threw a small bundle at Cyrzinski. The latter moi
thinking what it might be, by natural movement
held out his hand and caught IT, As he did SO Tie
bundle unrolled itself and shirt of beautifully he
linen but stained with blood and earth, danged from
the hand Of the Pole, who Immediately let II drop
C'est mauuaise plaisaaierie, Monsieur Ficlor'
said Cyrzipski, and could perceive the slightest pos
sble sparkle OF anger in his fine, clear, blue eye,
Comment ma,sraise piGisanterie p cried Victor
who had Just drank off bumper TO counteract s
he said the effect OF the night-damps.
p0lS ir0upe-, done, Dlauraise tout que je fits e
soir You seem TO think that you 10 be a law
giyer amongst US that only TO do what Sol.
s sPpSO'' u ''' ''' ~ ''' ''I'-'
To this accusation, than which there could no.
have been more uniounded one, the Pole made no
answer, but continued putting at ls pipe. observed
that the whifis of smoke followed each other with
greater rapdty than usual but his features betrayed
emotion, although the bullying tone, rather than
tie words, of the Frenchman, could not be other
wise than CALLING TO him.
Responds moi done q shouted Victor, who had iu,,
drank enough to be very quarrelsome, and who wa,
doubly incensed by the calm GOODNESS Of CyrzinskI
Answer me, or by G. Will throw my glass IN
your face
Victor standing opposite the Pole with half
empty tumbler in his hand and whether it was done
anger, he Involuntary suited the action the word
cannot say but1as he spoke, the glass flew across
the table, and smashed against the opposite wall
Cyrzinski receiving par, of the contents IN his face
never saw any thing more truly dignihed than the
Poles look and he rose from his seat and
wping the wine stains from his sun-burnci face and
mustachios, addressed Victor, who still continued
standing opposite to him. with the logged look of
man who has done something to be ashamed Of but
has too much false pride 10 acknowledge his fault,
Mon cher said Cyrzinski, in better French than
had usually heard him speak, you have done
very foolish thing you have nsuted, without rea-
son, a man who was soldier before you were born.
have the scars Of nine wounds on my body, and
do not fear being taken for a coward. Say that you
are sorry for what YOU have done-there is no de-
graduation in doing so-and let the thing drop These
gentlemen our iriends-ihey will I've silent on the
subject for your sake for myself | care not-Cyr-
znsk is known TO be no potroon.'
There momentary struggle in the French
mans breast, between good feeling and false pride
Unfortunately, the latter prevailed.
Il have no doubt of your willingness to receive
apologies, replied he, with sneer; but do not
feel equally disposed to make them And, turning
his heel, he left the This unpleasant incl
dent broke up the party and we all retired to our
quarters except Cyrznsk who remained alone with
Don Julian "
Before daybreak the next morning the troops were
turned out III case OF attack but none occurring
after being under arms couple Of hours, they
allowed to return to their quarters. | was looking
out of the window of the village posdda when Cyr
zlnski and host of the previous evening passed
by, the latter with his cloak He heckoned me
TO come down, which did, and Joined them
This is sad business said Don Julian, showing
me that he hal case OF pistols under his cape
CyrZinski and Victor are going TO fight nor do
see how it can be helped for Victor has again refused
to make the smallest apology. You know, probably
that our military law is against duelng, and
this affair may cost us all our commissions, and the
more occurring in front OF the enemy Walk
down with u, if you have objection. No harm
can accrue to you for doing, and your evidence
may good for some of Us hereafter if il comes 10
court martial.
In few minutes were the ground select
FOR the duel, which q small Indian cornfield IN
front OF the village, and about equidstant from two
OF the Christine pockets but screened from view by
being IN sort Of hollow shut in either side, and
also to the rear by high land and plantations of
young forest trees. 1t was inconvenienty near The
cantonments and pckes but the whole of the adj ia
cent country being covered with troops II would
better place, and, on the whoe it the most Sc
cluoed spot that could be found. On the side look
ing toward the Carst camp the country sloped gently
downwards for some three hundred yards, and then
again began to rise for about the same distance or
rather MORE till il terminated in ridge or crest upon
which the Carists had their position. One OF the
loose stone walls commonly used in Spain TO divide
farms and estates, ran the lower end of the
field from which the maize had been recently cut
Beyond this, the ground was uneven, intersected by
hedges, and sprinkled with apple trees
Victor and his second, the same young Spaniard
who had accompanied him on his expedition of the
preceding night reached the field as we did. After
another vain attempt on the part of Don Julian TO
extract an apology from the Frenchman, fifteen pa
ces were measured, and the men placed. As the Sc
conds handed the pistols to their principals
ing lre OF muskcts opened, which, to me- appeared
very near. ! made few steps towards the higher
part of the field, and saw the grey coats and blue
caps of some Carlist skirmishers advancing up to-
wards our lines, Julian, who TO give the signal
seemed to hesitate There was something strange in
fighting duel almost under the fire Of the enemy
.IHons, cried Victor, stamping his foot, impatient
ly dams un instant, ini.'
Uno Dos y cried Julian, with pause of Sc
cond between the words
Al the n'ao the pistols raised at the dos they
fired Cyrzlnski's bonnet de police fell off his head
with bullet through it. His pistol, the charge of
which had probably not been well rammed down,
flashed in the pan.
AT the same moment, however, to the surprise Of
all present, Victor turned half round and fell he y-
ly to the ground The seconds and Cyrzinski lurri-
ed up to him, and followed The blood was flow
ing from the back of his head stray bullet from
the Carlists, who skirmishing with our pckets,
had glanced over the wall which ran few wards in
ms rear and given him fatal wound. The last
words he had uttered Dams I'm instant &c eera fni
might have been spoken in prophetic spirit. Not a
minute had elapsed and lie already corpse.
From The y. T. Nd, ming Post.