Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-08-07

"Hei lts all setued, III come down and tell yOu'
. Before he could withdraw, however the door
was thrown open, and servant announced Ma.
lor Calvert The Major was an old Peninsnal
blade, belonging to distinguished corps of the
line, and with a face which, when he was in full
dress. We'd in richness Of color with his reci-
mental coat. Now, however, he was, Of course
i'm mufti r : -ss.s1
) 81 have come TO you, Lord Chldars, on the
part of my friend, Mr. Vavasour," he said, ac-
ceptinr the invitation to be seated | presume
you arc acquainted with the nature of my mis-
sion?''
'Oh, certainly. MY friend here, Captain Vii
hers, of the Guards, will act for me.'' .
The two officers exchanged bows. each, as he
took the others measure feeling profound con-
tempt for their distinct branches of the service.
Il will now bid you good evening. Major Cal
vert,' pursued Lord Childars. | leave every
arrangement entirely with you and Villicrs."-
And he retired.
"Am to conclude it is impossible TO settle
this business in amicable manner. Captain
.liliers ~ asked the major. as soon as they were
alone.
why, suppose so--that il, if your man
wants us to retract and apologize, and that sort
Of thing" 7>Sf -
..But possibly we may be able to pave the way
20 smooth things down little,'' said the major
with gentle motion of his hand and so make
| it comparatively easy. | remember once. lust
before the battle of Barossa-'
! "Oh! 've heard all about Barossa.' interrupt
cd Viiliers, who hated "reminiscences of the Pc
nias'lla. There's fellowyof our's-old Chud-
leigh, one of the greatest bores Won ever met
who has gwen me hundred different versions of
it.. He was also at that last place, You know.
where the Duke licked the French so,
ado yon mean Waterloo?"
eyes, tlat'sit. ! never could remember the
name, though can almost fancy Eve been there.
, Old Chnd has bored me so about it,
| "Ah the Guards We're at Wateroo,' observed
the major. dryly but in these pipe clay times of
peace you only campaign in Hyde Park and the
Phoenix. But. as was saving. don't like fel-
if it can be avoided. What will your friend do ?''
s'Fieht'
''That decides it, then. IT is just like an affair
| was concerned in once, on the march to
Vttoria-''
"Ah! Vittoria's one of Chud's places,'' cried
the guardsman. He has told me about that, |
am sure. It's inst the way his story besins-on
the march 10 Vttoria, and that sort OF thing
| Hadn't we better fix about onr men now?''
''lf you please,' answered the major. tartly.
incensed at a second Interruption
'.Then. let it be six O'Clock. in the field behind
the mill, on the LONDON road and fire at twelve
| PAGES"
.Sx o'clock! Five would be too late. Yo,
must make it four or we shall have all the town
/ for spec!ators.''
'sWe, will say four. then. though hate turn
ing out early, and that sort of thing; but, for
once, Ill sit up all night. / can't manage it in
aay other way"
forhear laughing; aud bidding the court-soldier
adie,l, he departed
Day roana Lord Childars seated at table,
where he had passed the night, and letters lying
before him, sealed with black, showed how he
had been employed.
The long vigil had not tended to improve his
appearance His face was pale and haggard
his eyes dropped; and his head leant weariIy on
his hand. Bat as light streaned into the room.
announcing the near approach of the appointed
hour. he aroused, himself, and completed his few
remaining preparations. Soon afterwards, he
was joined BY Viilers.
why. Chitlars. what the deuce is the matter
with vou:'' said the guarLsman. who, having
passed the night in smoking, himself had spec
tral appearance. ''Yon look as if you'd been
worried and pummc.lta! by whole legion OF
blue devils. Keep yonr spirits up, my boy
your pluck, l know, never fails -
Bat yon don't expect man in my position to
be very lively. suppose ?" replied Lord Child
ars. with faint smile.
..'Pon my life, don't see why you shouldn't.
4 crack shot like you, who can pink your man
at the first fire, ought to 90 oat with mot, as
Alvanev did. when he met--you know who
mean, that Irish fellow, who was always kicking
up such horrid row."
| s.Bnt the fact is, Nilliers, | am acting i'm this
business against my own conscience. have We
ry strong opinions on the subject Of duelin.. and
now am ilvinr in the face Of them. 1t is this
makes me look so serious--and not. as | know
you will believe, any thought Of personal peril
But we have no time to discuss such points now.
think we should be moving.'
/ Lord Childar's cabriolet was at the door the
pis,o-case was thrown in and taking their seats,
they drove Off
Uwas raw. dull, som5re morning. The sky
was sheathed in lead, ike kings corpse-or as
| if to repel the keen easterly wind. whose pierc
ing blast smote everything on earth.
Not a soul was in the streets, except few scat
tered policemen, leaning drowsly against lamp
posts. or in the obscure door-ways. and starting
into unnatural vigilance at their approach. On
| clearing town. the scene became even more drea-
/ ry Fields and hedges, gaily green in the sun
shine. seemed to be tnged with black--hung with
shadows. like grim and evil proPhesy; and no
/ feathered warbler charmed away their gloom
The hardy slers Of the soil had not yet come TO
work; the plough was still lying idle, buried deep
in the last nights furrow and far the eye could
reach nothing relieved the solitude Of the way.
Lord Childars was whip; and Villiers, leaning
back in his seat too tagged to disturb him, be@ni-
ed the time with swallowing yawns At length,
thev reached the rendezvous.
They were first on the ground, and there was
ten minutes to spare, but another cabroet. driven
at full pace, was seen approaching, ana as II
drove up Vavasour and Major Calvert spran- out.
All raised hats; and advancing to the middle OF
the field. the seconds measured the distance.
s:I must now ask you, for the last time, II you
are determined not to arrange this affair, Captain
Villlers:" said Major Calvert, as they stood for
moment apart.
Certainly, if you want us to--you know what
| mean. and that sort Of thing"
COZ course apology will be Indispensable"
"Then, there is an end of it, and we have only
to fix the signal
at is a great pity, though. I have known af-
fairs settled amicably on the ground at the las'
moment. and in the most honorable manner We
were in the lines of Torres Vedras-'
..Ah! then have heard about it. Chui|clgf
has told me all that ever happened at Torres We
dras. and an immense deal more. assure you, n
, | were to sit down to it, could write history
of the whole campaign, that would take the shine
out of Nap;er's completely. But what Is to be
our signal:''
Il will clap hands," said the Major. chaftd be-
YOU'D control cit is better than dropping hand.
kerchef.'
During the adjustment of these preimnarles
t Vayasour not expecting any delay, looked on I'M
patiently, his flushed cheek and nrld siances re-
| vealing too plainly the resentment ard stern m
placable determination that weltered in hts heart
Meanwhile his hand was locked firmly on TIM
pistol. eager to let loose its bolt
With far different feelings Lord Childars heaT'