Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-10-10


with his aged friend was alluded to. 1t was, |
therefore, Immediately afterwards con-
BY this time, scarcely another voice in
the room was heard-suspense as to the
result, and curiosity concerning this I'M
reasonable conduct, having produced con-
siderable silence.
For the third time the colonel exclaim-
ed
81 say IFS lie!" and at the same in
slant, fixed his eyes, with an expression
OF perfect ierocily, on his predetermined
antagonist Many others also looked in
the same direction. The young man could
no longer remain deceived. He mildly but
detcrminedly asked
''is that addressed to mc?"
ait is" roared the colonel. 81 say
again, it's all lie!"
A steady look Of contempt was the only
answer he received; and he that gave it
resumed his discourse as before.
Several now shrunk back, confident that
Il fight would ensue, and anxious to keep
out of the way. Some minutes elapsed
ere the intending murderer opened his lips
for the fourth time, and then it was to de-
nounce his victim as 'himself liar and
coward!' The latter deliberately rose from
his seat, and advancing, with the utmost
apparent composure, toward his antagonist
(who. probably, had no idea of such sal
utatlon from such a man, struck him
boldly in the face with his fist. and instant
Iy fell back to stand upon his defence with
the knife.
The colonel rushed forward, like Il tiger,
but his friend, the major, seiz d him, and
lntertered to prevent the immediate effus-
ion Of blood. This being effected, chal-
lenge was Immediately given by the colonel,
and accepted, and the morrow morning
was proposed as the period for the meeting.
TO the surprise of some Of the bystandcrs,
the challenged party insisted upon an i'm
MEDIATE decision, and that the combat
should terminate only with life. "To
kill or be killed." said he, sis now my al
Tentative, ana the sooner one or the other
is done the bctter'
On hearng this, the colonel also furi-
ouSly demanded an instan;a ncous settle
mcnt of the affair, raid his friends had no
right to prevent it, and swore that ii he did
not conclude the business at the rst shot,
he would consent TO stand as Il target only
the following two times. Both parties
were, of course, by this period, highly ex-
cited. Different propositions were loudly
vocitera!ed by as many different parties
present, until more than one case Of "ditii
Guilty" of this kind appeared to be brought
t. its ssum total' before the morning sun.
1t was suggested that they should go out
on the clearing, having two blazing fires
made at a proper distance, the CON batants
being placed between them, so that they
could sec each other against the light be.
hjnd--or that they should fight by the
blaze tpitch pine splinter or decide the
question, at once across table.
In the midst of all this uproar, the young
man challenged was questioned. by severa
of the more temperate persons present, a;
to his knowledge of the character AM
reputation enjoyed by his antagonist, the
colonel. lie replied that he knew nothing
+ whatever concerning hun and had never
seen him beforc--two facts which, in hi
opinion, highly aggravated the repeateC
and intentional insults he had received -
they accordingly advised hun on the sub
jet Of the colonies prowcsS and Urgent,
recommended him to adopt the to.lown.
two courScs--tO select no other weapon
than the rifle, and TO defer the decision
until daylight. BY no other arrangement
could he possibly have a chance.
All was in vain as h. firmly adhered tc
his previously expressed determination
aad equally vain were the painful and ever
pathetic rcmons,ranceS Of his aged friend
, Reconciliation, even during the space OF
few hours, being thus Ien0cred impossible
: and all the already proposed modes OF
fighting being rejected or unattended TO,
, new proposition was made. 1t was dis
r tnctly-ihat in order to dSorm one OF III
parties Of his decided general advantage
/ a. a duelist-to prevent the other, as ia
rs possible, from being butchered as we
! as wantonly insulted and, in short, /
) place both upon rs perfect an equality a
possible, the following articles ought TO b.
agreed to That the landlord should Civ
up the use Of large, empty room, tina
, extended over the whole top OF his house
and allow every window to be closel,
{ blocked up with shutters or boards. That
when this was done, the duelSts should b.
Invested Of every particle Of clothing, arm
ed each with brace OF pistols and bowie
kniie.* and then I've let into the room
three minutes being given, after the clos
ing OF the door, before hostilities com
menced, the expiration Of the time being
, announced 10 them by three rapid knock:
upon the door.
Will it be believed that this arrange
' ment was instantly agreed too But so i
was A tolerable party Immediately pro-
ceeded up stairs, some to make the need
lul arrangements, and others to listen &c
ibis unseen fight, and await its exciting re-
, suit.
Savage as mems spirits may be, such q
scene Of operation as this was enough &c
silence, il not 10 awe them. While it was
passing, no man spoke, but all looked Gu
rously upon the fine muscular persons,
that were soon, in all probability, abou, &c
cut up each other alive.
All things being ready. the door, whic h
had cautiously been kept closed, TO prevent
tthe interior of the place from being seen