Litchfield enquirer., 1849-11-01

and attended by few select friends,
hurried away to his hotel. His second
waited on Conway the same evening, and
hostile meeting was arranged for the
following morning.
A vast throng collected at the time
and place appointed, to witness the duel.
The seconds were Col. Wharton Rector
for Conway, and Ben Qesha for Critten-
den. AS the seconds in all such mortal
combats are often more important, as re-
speets the final result, than even the
principles themselves, we may be pardon
ed for briefly sketching the two who &C
ted in tie present case. ....
Wharton Rector was protested du-
elist, alike for the number and
fatality Of his murderous conflicts. He
was universally feared throughout the
west, from St. Louis to New Orleans,
althoughin some shrewd minds there had
always fingered doubt as to the char
acter of his courage. These thought
that the desperate relied on his immense
personal strength, and the deadliness of
his aim, rather than on innate and un-
conquerable bravery.
Ben Desha, son Of the celebrated
governor of Kentucky, had but recently
emigrated to Arkansas. His prowess
was not known, but only imagined from
his singular and striking appearance. He
was a tall, pale, slender man, whose thin
lip wore an everlasting smile, or smear;
one could hardly tell which, so ambigu-
Gus was its expression-and his eyes
were small as an infants, fierce, reddish,
and unutterably piercing. Such daggar-
like eyes, causing every gazer to quail,
could never belong to coward This,
at least, was the general belief of all who
saw him.
AS soon as the parties appeared on
the ground, they began to make their ar
and serious difficulties arose
between the seconds on various points of
order. While the dispute as to these
was pending. for almost an hour, Con-
way became restless, angry, and agita-
ted, while Crittenden, trusting all to his
friend, lay quiet on a blanket. with his
eyes shut, as if enjoying a comfortable
slumber.
Finally everything was settled, and the
principals took their positions. with their
pistols cooked, and their fingers on the
triggers. All was ready. when, to the as
constituent of the spectators, Ben Desha
hastily advanced, and selling Gen. Con-
way rudely by the shoulder, exclaimed
- Oh you, why do you not stand
fair?'
If you do that again will shoot you,
by Heaven! shouted Wharton Rector,
enraged at the unfair conduct Of Critten-
denis second.
'Your idle menace carfHct deter me
from the performance of my duty re-
piled Desha. as, with a smile, he walked
back to his place. He had gained his
object. Conway was excited by the in
suit to the verge of frenzy. His face
flushed, and his nerves shook with pas
sion. He was not physically in the best
state to drive the centre of q target
Desha had the word, and he waited sew
eral minutes before pronouncing it.
This was contrary to all rule. and served
to madden Conway more and more.
While the two antagonists were thus
standing in position, the spectators at a
a glance contrasted their aspect and
bearing. Crittenden inherited the noblest
of human forms, with fair hair, blue
eyes, and lofty countenance, frank and
open in its expression, and wearing the
seal of death-defying bravery. He stood
calm, collected and unconcerned, like a
riheman about to fire at a mark. But
Conway had a stern face, eyes dark as
night, and his look of indubitable cour-
age was perceptibly tinged with revenge.
Owing to the insults OF Ben Desha, all
his limbs were tremulous with rage.
At length Desha gave the word, in
voice that ruug like the peal Of trum
pet
Fire! One-two.-threep
At the sound Fire! Conway, still
under the effects of the previous agita-
ton, instantly raised his weapon and pull
led the trigger. His bullet grazed the
others breast, and cut button off his
coat. without more injury. But Crit
tenden waited till the last echo Of the
word It 70, and then his pistol exploded.
With its report, Gen. Conway dropped
to the earth like lead. The ball had
pierced through his heart.
Thus ended the first great party duel
in Arkansas! 1t was followed in swift
succession by nearly dozen more of like
character, and, without single excep-
ton, mortal. TIL the people themselves
grew sick and weary Of the murderous
exhibition. Crittendcn survived Conway
but few years, and died Of q torturing
fever. His rival had the easiest death.
C...naaE,I Ak..La N MnnL..,