Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-11-29
Nj | S G Il l. l. A N Y,
FROM THE N. Y. TRUE SUN.
A DANGEROUS CHALLENGE.
BY MRS. ST. 5iAicN

Among the foreign officers who took part in the
campaign oil the English, against Tippoo Sab, was
Frenchman, Count Horace de BenzeyaI AL
though more than fve-and-twen,y wears of ape
yet he seemed scarcely eighteen and his feeble
frame, his fair complexion, and his delicate hands.
gave HIM the appearance almost of female in dis
guise. Notwithstanding his he was man ofex
lraordinary strength, capable of enduring any IA
t'gue, concealing every emotion, and denying hin
self the qualification OF every need
Family affairs called him to Bombay. where
two OF his relatives young English officers, recey
ed hrn with marked distinction, and soon after his
arrival, invited him to dinner, with several other
officers; an invitation which he readily accepted.
al the Counts ilrst appearance, the officers, who
were strangers to him, Judged him by his exterior
and assumed this as the standard of his COURAGE =
Inc count, with the tact peculiar to him, remark
ed The Impression WHICH he had rr.i"~"A, sd l,ept
himself upon his guard, firmly resolved, however
To profit by the first opportunity that offered. TO
leave behind him an enduring memorial of his visit
To Bombay As he took his seat at table, he was
asked if he understood English, and. although he
was perfectly well acquainted with that langnape.
he declared that he was entirely ignorant of it, and
begged them to converse with him i'm his native
tongue.
Relieved from all restraint by this assertion the
f.nSiishmen conversed together freely. and the
Count de BenZeval soon remarked, that he was the
".
his indignation, however, and listened with a calm
and smiling mein. During the dessert their
tongues were rendered still more voluble by the
champagne; among ohei things the discourse turn
ed upon The chase, and they asked the Count what
kind of game, and in what way he hunted in
rance. Denzeva, In order 10 perform his part 10
the end, replied that he sometimes hunted the wild
boar on horseback, sometimes hares and patridoes
with pointer, sometimes foxes and deer in the 10.
rest.
'Ah J" cried one Of the company, ''you hunt
foxes, hares and deer! We, in this country. hunt
The tiger
"And in what way 2"
"Mounted upon elephants, accompanied by
slaves, some Of whom armed with spears. oo he
fore TO rouse the BEAST while the others reload our
muskets, when we have discharged them
THAT must be glorious sport" replied the
Count.
cit is pity" remarked one of the Enrlishmen.
"tha you leave Bombay 50 soon otherwise we
could crafty you with such an entertainment"
'Well," rejoined BenzevaI, ''if ! am moi obliged
TO wait too long, will defer my departure for a
while"
Fortunately, it so happens, said another. "that
Just at this time, tigress with her young, has Ia
Ken up her abode In swamp, about three miles
from mere. Some Indians, who have had several
sheep killed by the beast brought US the news YES
tefday. We resolved to wait, until the whelps
'''N S'O""' !" oiceI 10 arrange regular hunt,
but since SO favorable opportunity occurs of pTo
curing you pleasure, will defer it no longer. :"
II an greatly obliged TO YOU" replied BenzevaI
Out is it certain that The tfgress IS 10 be found IN
the spot where she is supposed to be, and is this
spot accurately known %
'There is no doubt about it, From the Ton NJ
hill which overIooks the swamp, you can plainly
see her paths through the reeds they all lead to a
common centre, like the rays Of star"
'Well, them" cried the Count, filling his rIass.
and arising, as if to propose toast ''o the health
of him who shall seek out the tirress alone on foot
through the reeds, and STAY it,, amid its whelps.
with no other weapon than this poignard!''
With these words tie Count drew from the pir
die of slave, Malay pOignard, and threw it up-
on the table.
"Have you lost your senses ?" exclaimed one of
the officers.
"By no means. gentlemen" replied the Count
in tone Of bitter scorn, "and in proof of it, | re-
peat my pledge. Listen to me well, that the man
who accepts the challenge may know to what he
binds himself To the health Of him )" he contin-
ued, "who shall seek out the tigress alone, ON foot.
through the reeds. and STAY il, amid IFS whelps.
with no other weapon than this poignardl"
Universal silence followed these words, during
which The Count gazed in turn at all present ev-
cry eye was cast to the ground.
'fNO one answers ~ he continued, with a smile
--''NO enc ventures To accept my challenges No
one has the courage 10 DO honor to my pledge T.
Wei, then. must undertake II myself, and if do
not, You may call me knave, as now call YOU cow
ards!" With these words Benzeval drained his
glass, then set it calmly upon the table, and said
as he approached the door
"Adieu until tomorrow. gentlemen ." and with
these words he disappeared.