Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-10-24
THE LEFT-HANDED DUEL.
ANEcDoTE OF b. r. ARCHER OF TEX

young virginia lawyer OF some note. Co.
ing to Powhattan Court House on busi-
ness, he accidentally met Gen. Crump, a
small, sharp featured gentleman, with
piercing dark eyes, thin lips, and nose
like the eagles beak, was cool, sarcastic.
and stlnging as wasp. There might be
read the history of dozen duels in the
sneer that writhed like a snake, in its coil
round the corners Of his mouth, as eyerv
seperate word issued through his teeth
with sort Of shrill and menacing hiss
He never seemed TO forget one instant that
he was the most famous dead shot in Vir-
ginia. In conversing with Crump about
suit in which they were opposing coun-
sci the latter made some offensive remarks.
or insinuation, of which Mr. Archer de-
sired an explanation.
Il have no explanation to make said
Crump, and he set his keen eyes on the
other as il he would slay him with glance,
The look Of itself was quasi murder.
Archer threw his entire soul into one
stern sentence--'Thvn demand Of YOU
to retract the insinuation you have made
against my motives!'
4 shall add fifty more ofthe kind before
| retract that!' said Crump, with sneer,
and, turning on his heel, he remarked
4 am going to my room at the hotel to
wait for your communication, if You have
any for me-
Col. Archer's friends gathered in clus-
ters around him, entresting that he would
not sacrifice his life to the bullet of du-
ellist whose aim was sure and deadly
but he would not be persuaded--he would
punish Crump or die in the attempt. A
formal challenge was soon passed and ac-
cepted, and the meeting was arranged to
transpire at sunrise the next morning, on
the summit Of high hill, two miles west
of Powhattan court house. At the time
and place designated, great ,hrong as
sembled to witness the combat. Crump
and Archer had both arrived at day break
and saluted each other coldly through the
pale haze of twilight. With the first gol-
den glimpse ofthe sun, the principals were
stationed in position by seconds; and all
hearts in the multitude vibrated with a
strange feeling, almost Of fear; so deter
mined and deadly were the countenances
of the two foes, although the expressions
on their faces Individually were very DIFF
ferent. Crump's visage wore the scorch-
ing sneer Of devil sure Of his prey; but
the blue eyes Of Archer seemed surcharg-
ed with the lightning of manly wrath.
The word being given, the two pistols
roared simultaneously. Archer's bullet
grazed Crump's left temple, but hi. own
s'sii siiaa ifan l iavs-wihgea my game. cried
Crump, in tones OF mccking triumph.
.Yes; but | have still a wing remaining
at your rervice,' shouted Archer shaking
his other arm in the face of his enemy,
and, and demanding an additional round.
Again the weapons Of death were load
ed and the parties took their places. Arch
er must have been suffering an agony oi
pain. Beads of cold sweat rolled from his
forehead, the blood streamed down from
his wounded arm, and stood IN puddle.
about his feet: his features were white a.
marble--so white that he might have bee,
mistaken for ghost; indeed there was ev
cry reason to suppose that he would re
ally be ghost at the next explosion o
Crump's pistol. Yet he gave no evidenc
OF fear. Looking his antagonist resolnte
ly in the face, he exclaimed:
General you now have every advan
tage. l am forced by necessity TO use m
left hand, and, if you are not c"warf
you will do the same.
Quick as thought Crump changed tn
weapon from the right hand to the lef
and Immediately the word to fire was re
peated. At the sound of the pistols bot
enemies fell. Archer had tainted fro'
loss of blood, the effect of his previou
wound, but Crump was shot through tt
heart.
D IT.. H.,toh;nanns haua nnnmennod