The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-10-31


of duelling, will call him out and shoot him
down as he would wild beast--if such be
your definition of man of honor then sir,
continued liardcastle with emphasis, Il am
none--and trust that the disgraceiu epithet,
synonymous with cold-blooded murderer,wlll
never be applied TO me-
Sir, you are PERSONAL said Brooks, with
asperity-lfyou WON'T fight duel you should
he cautious in giving oflence-and no man
shall insnuate, nay more, assert that am Il
cold booded murderer, and then take shelf
or from the chustisement which he deserves,
behind his principles. No man in this en-
| lightened age but coward-an arrant cOWdrd
sir, would refuse TO accept Challenge--but
think not sir, that your cowardice will screen
you from the chastisement you so richly mer-
it,
Capt. Hardcaste listened with the closest
attention to this speech,and when Brooks had
concluded il with theatrical mir, designed
to produce wonderful effect, the Captain
made him n low bow and so far as could be
gathered from his pleasant countenance, en-
tertained no apprehensions for the future.
The subject of discourse was shortly
changed by some of the company, who saw
in this discussion the seeds of discord-and
soon after, Mr. Brooks, accompanied by Mr.
Tompkins, countrynan and friend, left
the table, and started out of the room, with
| ffown on his brow which betokened mischief.
When Capt. Hardcastle reached the quay
about half an hour afterwards, he saw group
collected around Mr. Brooks, who appeared
much excited, and was gesticulating with
vehemence. As the Captain drew near,
they stepped aside, but regarded him with
degree ofcuriosity, which showed that they
expected some extraordinary event TO take
place. Hardcaste, however, greeted his ac-
QIIaniances with his usual courtesy, and
passed along towards his boat, until he APP
preached the spot where Mr. Brooks was
standing, looking scorpions and stings, with
his right hand beneath his vest. Suddenly
drawing forth n cow-skin, he exclaimed in
voice tremuous with rage or apprehension
Now YOU miserable coward, I'll pay you
for your insoence--and then ifyou want the
satisfaction ola gentleman you shall have it,
So saying he raised the instrument of dis
grace, but before he could give the blow, Hard
castle, with wonderful agility closed with
him, wrcsted the cow-skiu from his hand,and
threw il into the water-then Selling his nose
between the thumb and finger of his right
hand he squeezed aud twisted the untortu-
nate proboscis, until the blood spirited through
his fingers, and the Engishman screamed
and roared with agony! lie then released his
hold, after giving INN push, which sent him
several PAGES back, and compelled him TO
measure his length on the ground.
j deeply regret, my dear SIR said Captain
Ilardcastlc. in his most polite manner, so be
under the necessity oftreating you so roughly
but you must be aware that you left me no
ALTERNATIVE
He then jumped into his boat, ordered his
men TO shove of, bowed TO his friends on the
quay, and proceeded on board as pleasantly
MS if nothing uncommon bad taken place.
MIR Brooks was exceedingly aslOnished at
the result ofhis attack on Iardcastle. The
tables were turned OH him with vengeance.
The man whom he intended TO have dis
graced had escaped with flying colors, and
left upon his reputation an indelihle stain.-
Poor Brooks skunk off to his lodgings, amid
the jeers and Jokes of the bystauders, and
looked crest-tallen indeed.
'Why did you not knock the fellow down|
asked Mr. Tompkins, in moody tone.
'Why, hadn't chance--he was so quick.
besides, when he got hold of my nose, he
handled it so roughly that the pain drove all
other thoughts out of my head, and | did not
know whether stood on my head or my
heels How the rascal twisted it, Oh, how
| it is swollen added he, as he applied his
hand caressingly 10 the handle of his face
| But, Tompkns, something must he done,and
TINT Immediately. What course shall | IL
dept"
| Give him sound threshing, when he
comes ashore to morrow You are big e.
nough to do it,
That is far more easily said than DONE re-
piled Brooks. Il have no fancy TO get within
arms length of such real twister as he is. l
thought he was q harmless daudy-but man,
he is real Yankee grit after all. lwonder if
he really ,couLd refuse a challenge"
TRY him, and ifhe won't accept, post him
ms coward and poltroon. There will be
some satisfaction in that, any how
But ifhe shouldmeet me should stand no
chance with such fellow--a real screw au-
ger! He would shoot the down with as little
compuncton as would shoot a snipe.'
'Poh, Brooks; don't be frightened at shad-
ows. He wont fight; he is one of your con-
scientiov men, who pride themselves on their
principles, aud you may challenge him with
impunity.' ...
After little more conversation, it was con-
cluded that Tompkins should be the bearer
of challenge, and the determination was no
sooner formed than it was made known. III
shoot the scoundrel,' said Brooks in loud
voice the next morning TO aknot OF gentle
men assembled on the quay. Il can strike
penny nine times out of ten, at fifteen PAGES
distance and the lease of his life, if he dures
to meet me, is not worth copper And he
strutted like game cock, and grinned def
ance at those around him.
In the mean time, Mr. Tompkins took a
boat and proceeded on boad the ship snap
dragon. He found Capt. Hardcastle just sit \
ting down 10 comfortable breakfast in his
cabin. He was received by the Captain with
his accustomed politeness. He rendered the
letter, with which he was entrusted by his
principal, and which was well seasoned with
defiance and saltpetre, and concluded with an
invitation to meethim on the beach to the |
I'd ~ tl,n RInrr Castle with nistolS. the