The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-03-29
The Duel in the Bush.
AN INCIDENT IN AUSTRALIAN LIFE.

The Duel in the Bush.
| AN INCIDENT IN AUSTRALIAN LIFE.
In the story of emily Oxford, or Life
in Australia" we find the following Incl.
dent of George Flower, famous mounted
policeman, who was sent to hunt up noted
bush-ranger-and who supposed Flower
to be dead. After some conversation,
Flower said: "Now suppose mounted
policeman or thief-taker-a fellow of real
pluck-was to come upon you when you
were alone. and was to challenge YOU to
surrender, what would you do? Would
you draw your trigger at once, and not
give him chance9"
"No," cried Mllighan. "I'6 tell him to
stand off ard have a fair fight Of it,
"Millighan," said Flower, still keeping
his eagle eye firmly fixed on Millighan,
''are you speaking the TRUTH"
"Yes SO help me heaven!'
"Now let US suppose continued Flow.
er, "that such a man as that fellow George
Flower-the fellow that was drowned the
other day, was to be in the same position
with you as | am now?"G
"l'd tell him." said Millighan, that one
Of US must die, and challenge him to fight
fair
..How fight iair?''
"Why, I'd ask him to measure off fifty
yards, to walk backwards five and twenty
PAGES, and let me do the same.''
"And do you think he would do i,l''
Eyes, / do, for he was brave man.
have often wished to meet that man in the
field, for what want in this life is its ex-
element. and to be killed by the hand of
man like Flower, or to escape by killing
him in fair 6ght-either way would suit
me:''
"Millighan," said Flower, slowly. 81
believe every word you have uttered. Now
listen to what am going to tell you-l am
George Flower!"
Millighan started. He gazed on Flower,
whose eye was now rivited on that Of his
adversary. Millighan's carbine dropped
from his hand, but he did not change color
lor betray any alarm.
''Pick up your piece" said Flower,
pointing to the carbine and assuming a
proud and careless attitude. mighthave
shot you like dog before spoke to you
Ijust now, but could not do that, for you
are man as we'll as myself, and you are
as brave as generous. Pick up your piece
and walk backwards five and twenty PAGES;
but let us shake hands first"
Millighan took Flowers hand and sigh
ed heavily as he shookit
"Do not surrender" suggested Flower.
half fearing that Millighan would do so,
and break the very charm that bound him
to the man.
"Surrenderl' cried Millighan, with a
smile and a 'sneer, "no, I'll never do that!
And knowing you to be foe. | have still
a chance, for shoot as straight as you
do. But tell me in earnest are you Geo.
}, Flower? Yes, you must be. But hear
this, (his blood began to warm. if you are
not We must fight this day, for we cannot
after this day live together" And Mil.
lighan took up his carbine and satisfied
himself that there was powder in the pan,
and with his left thumb he pushed the flint
round so as to insure ignition when he
drew the trigger. Flower, placed his car
bne against huge stone, then put his
hands in his pockets and looked at Mil
lighan.
81 am George Flower said he, "and
who but George Flower would deal with
you as do? Don't let US talk much. or
may forget my mission, and become bush
} ranger myself" And Flower took his car
bine and examined the powder in the pan,
and touched the flint as Millighan had
, done.
"Flower, for Flower you must be, - said
} Millighan. ''grant me if you shoot me, one
, desire, that have had in ny heart from
, boyhood. desire that has haunted me
II | tall. suffer me to lie on the very spot
r Let the eagle come and feast upon my car.
; cass, pluck theeyes from their sockets and
! the skin from this brow; let me lie here in
this lonely region, and let my bones bleach
in the sun, and the rain fall, and.,he moon
and stars shine upon them.''
"My God!' exclaimed Flower, seizing
Millighan by the arm; s'the same dread o.
being buried has ever haunted me. If
fall by your hand, let me rest here. with
my head pillowed on this gun. Let nc
man living be shown where FELL"
Take your ground" said Millighan
II am ready"
"There is my hand" said Flower, Sand
should we meet in another world we shall
not be ashamed of one another my boy
Tears were starting in the eyes OF both
Flower and Millighan when they parted
Each stepped back pace for pace. Mil
lighan was followed by the little terrier
Nettles. When they we're about fifty
yards apart, they halted and looked Al
each other for several minutes. Both sim,
ultaneously leveled their carbines. but each
was indisposed to be the first to FIRE. Al
last Millighan discharged his piece. lie
had aimed at Flowers head, and carried
away part of the left whisker. Flower
fred-and Millighan fell on his face. The
ball had entered his left breast. Flower
ran TO the spot TO catch any last word he
might desire to breathe. but Miliighan was
, dead.
Gr A traveller found buffalo robe be-
longing TO hotel keeper, who, on recov
ering it, thanked the finder. remarking tha
(. | >hopE vo,, xuas xvorth fwentv.f five cenfS