The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08

suddenly lowered his sword point, and, address
ing his antagonist, said: Sir, am here
under compulsion, merely. do not consent to
this practice. To me il is absurd as j, is wick
ed. 1t settles no right, and il redresses nc
wrong. Let me say, then, that if my patience
has given way under my prosecutions, and
have, by hasty word or act, Justly offended
you, am willing to retract it. What is your
complaint"
Young man, came here not to preach,
but to fight. | came here not TO confer with
you about nice points in casuistry, but TO pun
lsh your impudence; but, if you have no rel
ish for that, will spare your life, on condition
that va leave the army-take your choice"
The Enslgn's answer was prompt and firm
You will have it SOL am guiltless," and
the fencing began.
The seconds and witnesses had never seen
such display of skill, and they never dreamed
of such result In five minutes the Colonel
was disarmed, and at the mercy of the insulted
and outraged boy'
Heated by the struggle, and excited by the
imminent peril and bloody bitterness and fury
of his enemy, he turned from him somewhat
haughtily, with" have taught you a lesson
in sword-play, and now will set you another,
which you need even more-an example OF
moderation IN success"
The Colonels modification and rage seemed
to know no bounds.
81 accept DO favors from such cantng,
phrase-making, sentimentalist-such a mere
fencing master-such trickster, and conlur-
ing sword-p player as your are" the Colonel
burst out through his grinding teeth. SO you
knew well what you were about when you
chose these. toys to play tricks with. If you
have sentiment of honor left in you, let me
have pistols tell you this quarrel is not
made up. | will not have my life at your gift.
You shall take it, or | will take yours. The
quarrel is TO the death, and there is a blow TO
clinch it," striking at the Ensign in transport
of passion, which he avoided with equal cool
ness and dexterity.
The seconds interferred, and then the specta-
tors cried shame but it was clear enough that
blood must flow before the parties should quit
the ground The Ensgn's second, carried
away by the excitement, urged him TO accept
the new challenge on change of conditions, for
he despared of any other adjustment
"Will nothing satisfy this mailman but my
life?" said the young officer, deeply agitated.
~" You have made him mad" said the sec
ond, and there is nothing left for it but fatal
issue. You have the right to refuse, having
already spared his life, and will sustain you,
but do not advise ii, for it will be unayailing
in the end"
81 have gone too far" replied the Ensign,
sadly, " too far from the line of strict principle.
to recover it now. | cannot any longer say
that am opposed to fighting; | have broken
down that defence by yielding to an expediency
which thought safe one. Oh, it is horribe
| did not dream this morning that might die
FOOLS death to-day"
"You will accept the Offer" hastily inter-
posed the second; "you must be good shot,
with such an eye and hand, and such selfpos-
session as you have shown to-day If your PTS
tol matches your sword, you cannot miss him
and, upon my SOUL he deserves it, and say
let him have it. You accept"
The Ensign stood silent. The ground was
measured, the pistols prepared, and the com
batants stationed. The word was given. One
two-three The Colonel's pistol was dis
charged at the instant, and the Ensign stood
untouched. He had reserved his fire, and had
the right now to take deliberate aim. Steadily
he raised the deadly weapon till it bore point
blank upon the Colonel's heart, and then it
rested a minute in terrible suspense; not a
nerve quivered, not limb trembled in either,
and the spectators held their breath hushed as
the death they waited for. But suddenly wheel
ing, the Ensign marked post in different
direction, at twice the distance of his antago-
mist, and, pulling the trigger, delivered his ball
IN 1t breast-high. 1t was centre shot, and in
stantly fatal if living man had stood there
The next instant, throwing down the pistol
| with decision that could not be mistaken, he
cried out g" will go no farther in this wicked
| folly. If there is nothing else left for me but
murder or submission, | will submit"
The grandeur of his position was too strib-
| ing now to be mistaken or denied The Colo
mel was the first TO acknowledge it. Twice
within the hour he owed a life to the magma
nimity Of a man he had so much abused. That
man stood now indicated, even by the hard
laws of war and honor; he was neither trick
ster nor coward. Possibly the Colonel felt
something of the higher nobility of the young
mans principles, but will not be sure of that.
He found him brave and generous, and that
was enough, without looking deeper for the
hidden springs of the nobler life within him.
Advancing to him, he offered his hand,
apologized frankly for all his misconduct, ac-
knowledged his misconcephon OF the character
which he had put to so severe trial, and add
ed that he was willing to owe his life to " the
bravest man he had ever met, either as friend
or foe"
"Brave" said the young man, with the
color mounting to cheek and brow. Brave !
Colonel-pardon me-Heaven pardon me.
True bravery consists in refusing to fight al
together. But | have betrayed principle
which should have valued more than life; |
have risked my life--not for that principle, but
to satisfy caprice am the miserable hero of
miserable falsehood, instead of the martyr OF
a great truth have lost confidence in my
self, and mems praises only mock me-"