Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-02-15

ry particular. lpledge you my honor as
as soldier, not TO compromise you in
the leas. particular, and all ask Of you
is. to pledge me your word that you will
obey me to the letter." a-
agreed" said Rogers, "you are the
friend OF ue both, and there can be no
dishonor in any action you may take"
"Well, said Lieut.. r., ''meet us on
the bank Of the river, (the Rio AIamo,)
quarter Of mile above the camp, to-
night at nine o'clock, for the moon will
then be some hours high, and we will
settle the affair.""
''Thus they parted. Twilight soon
spread her gray mantle over the earth,
the sky was bespangled by few bright
stars, while the watch-fres for miles
peered through the gloom aud shed a lu-
rid light around thousands of tents, which
were stretched for some three miles from
Marin TO the bank of the river.
The hum of thousands of voices, and
the stir Of busy preparation for the com.
ing morrow, had gradually grown fainter
and fainter, while the moon poured down
flood of silver light on the scene as the
appointed hour drew near. Rogers
mounted his horse, passing outside the
lines. and rode to the appointed spot.
His adverrary, Barclay, and Lieut.. R.,
were already on the ground. Dismount-
ing, Rogers, with his gun on his shoul-
der, approached the latter, who whisper
ed in his ear, "Mind what say, and o.
bey me implicitly; you may sure all will
be right"
The distance was stepped off, and the
parties were stationed at their places
1t was lovely night; the moon beams
danced on the ripping waters, and as
they ,rickled on their way, their sweet
murmur was heard, deeply impressive
with the stiffness of the hour. There
was solemn beauty about the surround
ing scene, which seemed 10 call far,h the
noblest the most philan ,hropic feelings
of man. A sentiment Of sorrow and re-
gret seemed to prevail that the me citing
had taken place-but it was then too
late. The barrels of their weapons glis-
tened in the silver light, and in few
moments they were 10 risk the chance Of
being hurried into eternity, while one
gave the other or received from him sat-
isfaction for his wounded honor. They
had been placed in their positions, when
Lieut.. r. walked off at distance mid
way between them, said, "Gentlemen,
are you ready!" "Yes," was the res
ponse of both. At the next word, which
each thought was big with the fate of
one or both of them, to their surprise the
voice Of Lieut.. r. was heard ringing on
the air: "Advance fifteen paces." They
acc ordingly advanced until they met
"Shake hands," said Lieut.. r., in most
imperative tone. The combatan,s stood
bewildered, half doubling, but mechani-
cally extended their hands one to the
other. "Now," said the Lieut., 81 de-
clare this difficulty honorably seltled, and
whoever dares to question in must be
responsible to me. Gentlemen, you are
friends-mount your horses"
The two parties again grasped each
others hand, and with look of graft.
tude to their mutual friend, mounted and
rode with him to the tent. The night
ended in scene Of Joy and revelry
which twined their hearts together forev-
er. The memory of Lieut.. R., who
shortly afterwards fell at Monterey, a nd
his noble character. are cherished in a
thousand hearts. OF this gallant officer
!, was said that no man was his supe-
rior; his word was law among his friends,
and which no man dared to question.