The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-01-17

II fTeUCnindn. f.|
"Not one," said jack sf..4aH
''Ah.' rejoined the other with slight sneer,
"then am not surprised that you suppose the
possibility Of mans being afraid under such cir
cumstances." .... ... ....
"Forgve me-" said Jack, 'syou misunderstood
me. | fancy that at the moment when one man
is about to kill another, he may tremble with some
other emotion than that of fear"
"Sir, l never uembe," said the shot
"PossibIy," replied Jack, with the same compo-
sure; "stil am not at all convinced that, at twen-
ty five PAGES, that is, the distance at which you bit
the bulls eye each time
"Well! at twenty five paces!' interrupted the
other. .... -s
"You would miss your man" was the cool re-
ply.
"Sir. | assure you should not" answered the
Frenchman.
"Forgve me if doubt your word, said Jack.
you mean, then, to give the le'"
81 merely assert the fact, replied our friend I"
ga fact, however, which | thiik you would
scarcely like to establish" said the freur.
"Why not'" said Jack, looking steadily at his
antagonist.
"By proxy, perhaps'"
"By proxy, or in my own person, I care not
which," said Jack.
81 warn you, you would be somewhat rash.
mot at ALL" said Jack, for merely say what
think, and consequently my conviction is, that
should risk but little"
'Let US understand each other, 'said the French
man; lyon repeat to me a second time that at
twenty five PAGES should miss my man."
''You are mistaken, monsieur" said Jack; sit
appears to me that this is the fifth time that have
said it,"
'Parbleu!" said the Ftenchman, now thorough
ly exasperateJ; ''tthis IS too much, you want to
insult me"
''Think as you like, monsieur" said Jack.
"Good!' said the other; ..your hour, sir'"
"Why not now?" said Jack
"The place - said the other.
"We are but FIVE steps from the Bois de Bou-
logne," replied Jack.
''Your arms, sir!'
"The pistol, of course,' was Jacks answer;
"we are not about to fight duel, shut to decide
point upon which We are at issue"
The two young men entered the cabroleis,
each accompanied by friend aud drove toward
the Bois de Boulogle. Arrived at the appointed
place, the seconds wished to arrange the matter.
This, however, was very difiicult Jack adversa-
ry required apology. whilst Jack maintained
that he owed him none, unless he himself was
either killed or wounded; for unless this happened
he Uack) would not have heen proved wrong.
The seconds spent quarter OF an hour in the
attempt 10 effect reconciliation, but in vain.-
They then wished to place the antagonists at thir-
ty PAGES from each Others to this Jack would not
consent, observing that the point in question could
not be correctly decided if any difference were
made between the distance now to be fixed and
the distance at which his antagonist had hit the
bulls eye in the gallery. 1t was then proposed
that louis should be thrown up, in order to de-
eide who should shoot first; this Jack declared
was totally unnecessary the right to the first
shot naturally belonged to his adversary; and al
though the Frenchman was anxious that Jack
should take advantage of this one chance, he was
firm and carried his point. The "garcon" Of the
shooting gallery had followed, and was ready to
charge the pistols, which he did with the same
measure, the same kind of powder and the same
kind of balls as those used by the Frenchlnan in
in the gallery a short time before. The pistols,
too, were the same; this condition alone Jack had
imposed-a sine qua non. The antagonists, plac-
ed at twenty five PAGES from each other, received
each his pistol; and the seconds retired few
PAGES in order to leave the comblants free to fire
on one another, according to the stipulated ar
Iangement.
Jack look none of the precautions usual with
duelists he attempted not to shield any part of his
body by position otherwi-e, but lowed his
arms to hang down by his side and presented his
fall front to the enemy, who scarcely knew what
to make Of this extraordinary conduct. He had
fought several duels but it had never been his lot
to see such sang Jroid in any one of his antago-
nists; he felt as il bew wdered; and Jacks theory
recurring to his mind tended but little to reassur
him; in short, this celebrated shot, who never
missed neither his man nor the bulls eye of the
target began TO doubt his own powers. Twice he
raised his pistol, aud twice he lowered II again
This was, of course contrary TO the laws of duel
ing; but each time Jack contentcd himself with
saying, "Take time, monsieur! Take time!" A
third time he raised his arm, and feeling ashamed
himself, fired. 1t was moment of most painful
anxiety to the seconds but they were soon reliev-
ed; for Jack. the instant after the pistol had been
fired turned to the right and to the left, and ,made
a low bow to the two friends, to show that he was
not wounded, and then said coolly to his antago-
nist "You see sir, was right"
..You were," answered the Frenchman "and
now fire in your turn
"Not ]" said Jack picking up his hat aud hand
ing his pistol to the garcon; "what good would it
do me to shoot at you"