Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-04-18


Abr reioined the other, with a slight
sheer, then am not surprised that you sup
pose the possibility of man being afraid
under such circumstances.
Forgive me- said Jack, you misunder-
stand me- / fancy that at the moment
when one man is about TO kill another, he
may trembe from some other emotion than
That of fear
Sir, / never tremble,' said the French
man.
Possibly replied Jack, with the same
composure; still I am not at all convinced
that at twenty-five PAGES, that is, at the dis
lance at which you hit the bull's-eye each
time
We'll at twenty-five pacesr interrupted
the other.
you would miss your man, I! was the
cool reply
Sir, / assure you / should not, answered
the Frenchman.
Forgive me if ] doubt your word, said
Jack.
You mean, then to give me the lie 2
Il merely assert the fact replied our
friend.
"A fact, however, which | think you
would scarcely like to establish, said the
tireur.'
why not 7 said Jack looking steadily at
his antagonist.
BY proxy, perhaps
by proxy, or my own person, care not
which, said Jack.
Il warn you, you would be somewhat
RASH
Not at ALL said Jack, for merely say
what think and consequently, my con-
viction is that should risk but little
Let us understand each other said the
Frenchman, you repeat TO me a second
time that at twenty-five PAGES l should miss
my man.
You are mistaken, monsieur said Jack,
lit appears to me that this is the fifth time
that have said it,
'Parbleu I said the Frenchman, now thor
oughly exasperated /; this is too much you
want to insult me-
Think as you like said Jack.
Good ? said the other; your hour, sir 2,
'Why not now 2 said Jack.
The place 7 said the other.
we are but FIVE steps from the Bots de
Boulogne.'
your arms, sirl'
The pistol, of course was Jacks an
swer we are not about to fight duel, but
to decide point upon which we are at is.
sue.'
The two young men entered the cabrio-
lets, each accompanied by friend, and
drove towards the Bots de Boulogne. Ar.
rived at the appointed place, the second:
wished to arrange the matter. This howev.
er, was very difficult; Jacks adversary re-
quired an apology, whilst Jack maintained
that he owed him none, unless he was either
killed or wounded, for unless this happened
he, (Jack) would not have been proved
wrong. The seconds spent quarter of ar
hour in the attempt to effect reconciliation
but in vain. They then wished to place the
antagonists at thirty PAGES from each other
to this Jack would not consent, observing
that the point in question could not be cor
rectly decided if any difference were made
between the distance at which his antagon
list had hit the bulls eye in the gallery. |
was then proposed that louis be thrown up
in order to decide who was TO shoot first
this Jack declared was totally unnecessar,
that the right TO the first shot naturally
belonged to his adversary; and although III,
Frenchman was anxious that Jack SHOULD
take advantage of this one chance, he wa
firm and carried his point. The 'garcon' o
the shooting gallery had followed, and wa
ready to charge the pistols which he dit
with the same measure, the same kind o
powder, and the same kind Of balls as thos
l 49, ha he
short time before. The pistols, too wer
the same this condition alone Jack ha,
Iimposed--a sine qua non. The antagonist
received each his pistol and the second
retired few PAGES in order to leave tn
combatants free to fire on one another, &C
cording to the stipulated arrangement.
Jack took none OF the precautions usua
with duelsts; he. attempted not to shell
any part Of his body, by position or an
down by his side, and presented his fnI
front to his enemy, who scarcely knew wha
to make of his extraordinary conduct. ii
had fought several duels, but it had neve
been his lot to see such sang .frOid in an
one of his antagonists he felt as if Devil
dered and Jacks theory occurring to hi
mind, tended but little to reassure him; il
short, this celebrated shot, who never misse
either his man or his bulls eye Of the large
began to doubt his own powers. Twice
raised his pistol, and twice he lowered
again. This was, of course, contrary to al
the laws of dueling but each time JAG
contented himself with saying Take you
, time, monsieur! Take time A thir
time he raised his arm, and feeling ashame
of himself fred 1t was a moment of mos
painful anxiety to the seconds; but the