Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-07-07


With him departed all the gayety of the Lieu-
Tenant. He became thoughtful and tacturn;
his mind wandered from the game, and he soon
lost more than he had gained He was unnerved
with terror, while rejecting on the consequ en-
ces OF his folly. What advantage an adversary
must possess over him, who could bear with
suci calmness series of degrading insults and
who could propose duel with such inpertura.
BILE Sdngtrotd. Such an antagonist must sure
lly be slngularly endowed with courage and
skill. Such were the ideas which continually
passed through his mind. .-...l lrs, -
! IraWhen the company separated, they all agreed
to meet at the same place at the appointed hour.
But il is not TO be supposed that they all slept
equally well during the night. ...
When they assembled The next morning at
the coffee house, they found the Englishman be-
Ifore them at the rendezvous; but he was now
dressed in splendid naval uniform of his ma
Ition. He was attended by valet who carried
a case under his arm. .'~ ....... .....
He requested the officers to accept some re-
Ifreshments, and they entered into conversation,
when the Euglishman gave indications of posses
sing cultivated mind and knowledge of the
forms Of society and good breeding.
A. o'clock he arose from his chair, and beg
Iged the Prussan officer TO select the spot where
their quarrel must be decided, adding that he
was a stranger in the city, and that all places
were alike TO him. The Baron named the
open pasture lying between Hamburg and AL
ItOua.
When they arrived on the ground, the Eng
lshman asked the Prussian what distance he
woull prefer; he replied.
Fifteen PAGES.
Too great resumed the Englshman, you
will miss me. Call it ten, if you please His
proposition was adopted.
The Major now made the observal on that
the captain had no second.
That is of little consequence sail the Eng.
,lishman; If fall, my valet has my orders.
The Major represented, that such proceed
ling was contrary to the usage in affairs of this
kind and that if such formllitv was neglected
the duel could not take place; but he politely
offered to assist in that capacity.
When the ground was marked out and each o
the principals had taken his station the Cap
tain asked his antagonist significantly, if he
had good pistols; 'for, said he Il have pair
which l have used and which never miss
their man. will give YOU proof Of their ex.
cellence.
He then called his servant and ordered hin
to throw something into the air. The man took
a handkerchief from his pocket.
That is too large, said the Captain, find
something else
The servant then took from his pocket dried
prune.
: That will do exclaimed the master.
The fruit was thrown into the air, the pisto
was fired, and the prune was shattered &c
pieces.
AT this extraordinary proof Of address, tht
Spectators were struck with astJnishment. A!
TO the poor Lieutenant, he was more dead thar
alive.
The Captain now resumed his station and re-
quested his antagonist to fire; but the Major in
: terposed, stating that it was contrary 10 tn,
custom of the country; that the offended party
had the undoubted right TO make the first essay
and after his fire was returned the rest shoult
be decided by chance
My FRIEND replied the Captain, If | shoul
suffer myself to be influenced by your opinion
t this young gentleman would never have anotll
er chance of testing the quality of his PISTOLS
! must have my own way in this particular; an
: after have settled the affair with this gentle
= man, each Of his companions who amused them
i selves last evening at my expense, and vhc
instead Of restraining the impertinence Of thei
friend, laughed at his follies, one after the othe
!. must front my pistol. Now am ready. TAX
j good aim-for if you miss me, you are dea
5 man .... ...... ...' .
Y The Lieutenant presented his weapon dreN
the trigger, and the ball passed through III
9 ,Englishman's hat. .|... ..
. 1T is now my turn said the captain. i wa
last evening butt for your raileries, for you
q sarcasm. Without .provocaton you insulte
: me; covered me with humiliation. | was
schoolmaster-a tailor-a village babber.-
g What am | now? A mani And what are yol
A miserable wretch. A psltroon, trembr
with fear The death, which in few minut,
= you will receive at my hands, already surrount
!, you with shadows. The grim tyrant's icy har
u is already extended over you; your lips are liz
: id; your eyes are glazed, and your visage is
: pale as the winding sheet, which in a fe
hours, will envelope your body. Your leeb
y limbs can hardly support you; for insolence al
l. cowardice 60 hand in hand together. But b
If fore my bullet pierces your heart tell me, hay
II you any arrangements to make? Have you
S last adieu TO send mother, father, sister,
- any person who is dear to you? l have he
y; the ma teTials necessary for writing, and W
I'd willingly grant you time 10 make any arrang
sn ments which you may think necessary
nd The young man muttered something, Of whiC
T. a brief Il thank you" was all that was intel
tn giJle.
ed In that case, resumed the Englishman, sin
r. reconciliation between us is absolutely impos
us BILE, and it is necessary that your blood shou
wash out the aifronts which / have received,
nd beg you TO implore, by feryent but brief me
e, tai prayer, the mercy Of the Eternal Power.
IN Then taking off his hat, he looked around u
he on the mute and terrified spectators Of this 1
A. posing scene, who, by spontaneous impul
n uncovered thems elves likewise. For NONE
e. there reigned among the group a religious a