Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-08-05
DUElLING.
Goodness ON the Ground.

we Hlu lile AoiO"lHS III tile last NuuOeT VI
the New York Spirit of the Times, which says
that in the "Masters House." tale of South.
ern life, new work on the South, there is a
description of duel which is evidently from
the life, that is remarkable, not only for the vi
vid manner in which it is given, but also as a
display Of the highest courage. The reader
must understand that Mildmay, from his quiet
habits, rested under the imputation in the pub
lie mind that he would not fight, and, further
more, his opponent was to "draw his fire" and
"then shoot him down." When the parties ar
rived on the field, the description goes on as
follows:
The principals were at their places, their
weapons in their hands. Col Lee had the or
dering of the prelimnaries, and with profess
sional solemnity, asked,
"Gentlemen, are you ready"
"We are ready" was mutually answered.
"Then, gentlemen" said Col. Lee with a
loud voice, "upon my repeating the question,
Are you readye you are to answer YES
shall then say, fire, one-two-three."
At this instant, Midmay. who was standing
with his musket in the hollow of his left arm
to the astonishment Of all present, dropped
the butt upon the ground and said:
"Col. Lee, desire some information"
Gen. Bledsoe (Mildmay's second) who was
now Of course compelled to be silent spec
may appeared thus so unnecessarily to inter-
significance passed between Moreton's friends,
Beauchamp whispering, "Mildmay's going to
faint"
"What is it, sir?" said COL Lee, impatiently,
at the same time turning TO the questioner.
DO I understand Alright, Col. Lee" said
Midmay, with an affectedly slow emphasis,
shat can fire at any time between the counts
of 'one-two-three.'
"You can, sir" answered Col. Lee, waving
his hand with authority.
Upon hearing which, Mildmay very slowly
stopped down, and pinching up some dry dust
between the thumb and fore.inger of his right
hand without speaking, signified that he un-
derstood the arrangement, and instantly as
sumed his proper position.
Gen. Bledsoe, whose confidence in Mildmay's
frmness had been so terribly shaken by what
appeared to be his ill.opportuned interruption,
instantly caught the deep intent of Mildmay's
question, and the reason of his apparent desire
to fortify his finger against the possibility of
slipping on the trigger; it flashed upon him like
lightning, that it was all done to derange Nor
toms calculations about Midmay's making a
quick fire, and Gen. Bledsoe, whose heart,
moment before, was near colIapsing with fear,
with thrill of admiration, could now with DIFF
ticulty refrain from falling on Mildmay's neck
and bursting into tears.
Both Moreton and Mldmay now seemed
that the instant of action had arriv.
ed, for they simultaneously and courteously
raised their weapons, as if "presenting arms. :"
Col. Lee again, in solemn voice asked:
''Gentlemen, are you ready"
The combatants simultaneously answered,
1--WE are!" Then, said COL Lee:
"Gentlemen, fre-one-"
The numeral had hardly escaped the lips of
Lee before the crashing sound Of Midmay's
musket echoed far and wide, and Moreton,
with his weapon undischarged, sprang perpen.
dicularly in the air, and then fell numbering to
the earth; for an instant, his body trembled like
an aspen leaf; he essayed to raise himself, and
amid gurging sounds, could be family dstin.
guished the words, "My wife-my children
and then, with long-drawn sigh, he fell back
"a corpse.
Mildmay, still standing in his place, gazed
sadly at the group now kneelng about the life
less form of the once splendid Mr.. Moreton;
and then, handing his weapon to his friends,
he mechanically moved towards his horse.