The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-09-27
Goodness in Duelling,

r Goodness In Duelling.
In the "Masters Holse," a tale q
Southern life, there is description of
duel, which is evidently from the life, tha
is remarkable, not only for the vivid man
ner in which it is given, but also as dis
play of the highest courage.
!, The reader must understand that Mild
may, from his quiet habits, rested unde
the imputation in the public mind, that b,
would not fight and furthermore, his op
ponent was 10 draw his fire and then shoe,
him down. When the parties arrived or
the field, the description goes on as fo!.
lows:
"The principals were at their places,
their weapons in their hands. Col. Lee
Mr.. Moreton's second, had the ordering Of
the preliminsries, and with professional
soiemuity asked:
Gentlemen, are you readyl"
Aye arc ready" was mutually an
swered.
Then, gentlemen" said Col. Lee, with
a loud voice, "upon my repeating again
the question, Are you readyr you are to
answer, Yes shall then say, fire, one,
two, three"
At this instant Mildmay, who was stand
ing with his rifle in the hollow of his left
arm, to the astonshment Of all present,
dropped the but upon the ground and
said
. .ni~Asoe. (Mildmavs sn.~.;?Tp.
was now, Of course, compelled to be .
lent spectator, felt sickness come over
him. when Mildmay appeared thus so un-
necessarily to interrupt the proceedings,
while look of sarcastic significance pas
sed between Moreton's friends, Beaucamp
whispering. Mildnay's going TO faint"
"What is it, sir 7" said Col. Lee impa
tienrly, at the same time turning to the
auestioner.
ado understand Alright. Col. Lee, said
MiIdmay, with an affectedly slow empha-
sis, "that 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
forefnger Of his right hand, without speak
ing, signifed that he understood the ar
rangement, and instantly assumed his
proper position.
General Bledsoc, whose confidence in
Mildmay's frmness had been so terribly
shaken, by what appeared to be his ILL
opportsned interruption, instantly caught
the deep intent of Mildmays question,
and the reason Of his apparent desire to
for;ify his finger against the possibility of
slipping or the trigger; it flashed upon
him like lightning, that it was all to de-
range Moreton's calculations about Mild
mays making quick fire, and General
Dledsoe, whose heart, moment before,
was near collapsing with fear, with a
thrill Of admiration could now with ditR.
Guilty refrain from falling on Mil1may's
neck and bursting into tears.
Both Moreton and Mildmay now seemed
conscious that the instant Of action had
arrived for they simultaneously and cour-
teously raised their weapons, as il present
ing arms. Col. Lee again, in a solemn
voice, asked:
Gentlemen, are you readyf"
The combatants simultaneously an
swered: ave are!" Then said Col, Lee
Observation-Disclosures"
The numeral had hardly escaped the
lips Of Lee, before the crashing sound o
MiIdmay's rifle echoed far and wide, and
Moroton with his weapon undischsrgcd
sprang pSrpendicularly in the air, aud ther
fell numbering to the earth; for an insian
his body trembled like an aspen leaf; h'
essayed to raise himself, and, amid gurg
ling sounds, could be family distinguishes
the words: any wiss-my children!" anc
then, with long drawn sigh, he fell bael
, IA corpse.
Mildmay, still standing in his place
gazed sadly on the groupe now kneelin
about the liteless form Of ths once spler
, did Nc Moreton; and then, banding Ii
weapon to the General, who could scarce
ly conceal his exultation at the result, b
mechanically moved towards his horse.