Washington telegraph., 1855-08-08
A French Duel,

Inc morning was cold ana rainy, ara
seeing before him 'chalet." through whose
windows shone glorious fire, and whose Gu
rious external stairway descended even to
his feet. as if coquettishly inviting him to
share mountain hospitality, Dupont did net
hesitate to mount to the door; he found the
key in the lock. opened and entered. A man
was seated at desk with his back to the
door-at the noise Of the opening he turn
ed bis head, and. recognising the intruder.
cried:
"Ah, it is you Dupont. We will take a
turn immediately"
1t was Fournier who thus spoke.
Faith. am ready" said Dupont.
Fournier took his sword from the corner
of the room: they fell into position they
crossed weapons. All this passed in mo-
ment-to see. recognise and provoke, and
attack each other. was as natural and
spontaneous as to breathe 1t was only
between the passes that they conversed.
II thought you were employed in the in-
terror" said Fournier
The minister gives me the fourth diyis-
ion''
Indeed. how fortunate 1 command
the cavalry there. So you have just arriv-
ed"
This instant"
'And thought of me the FIRST thing-hov
amiable you are ~
mo, really. did not know You were
here seeing Z ssrSS through these windows,
as l was about to pass. stopped to warm
myself"
''This exercise will warm you sufficient
iy."
The fight became 6ercer-Fournier haz-
arded pass which Dupont taking advan-
tage of, pushed him so vigorously that he was
forced TO give back step by step
Dupont advanced steadily within distance,
crying
Aha, you run. you run"'
Not at all. / only retreat Do you
think / am going to let you spit ne like a
sparrow ?''
The room is small shall drive you to
the wall ="
I'VE shall see ~
''See them rs and as Dupont said this, he
pressed Fournier literally into the corner.
and bis sword piercing the muscles of F.'s
neck, pinned him to the wall like a family
portrait badly hung
The devil.' cried the spitted general.
You did not expect this" cried Du-
pont.
"On the contrary. it is you who do not
expect what Will happen
Indeed. what is about to happen. them"
why. the moment you draw out your
sword l shall thrust mine into your stomach,
and you will fall"
True replied Dupont. pressing his
sword with great force into the logs of the
cottage wall.
We'll. what the devil sre you piercing
the wall for ?"
Il am taking precaution against your
lunge in my stomach"
"You cannot avoid it; the moment YOU
withdraw you die W
II shall not withdraw till you throw down
your sword"
''It is impossible for you 10 keep your arm
thus strained for ten minutes; it must drop,
and you receive my thrust
You are unreasonable.-your blood
is flowing,-in ten minutes your eyes will
Close
I'VE shall see''
VERY well. am not inpatient
Nor l. We will abide the result ~
This contest would probably have been
prolonged to a fatal termination. had not the
noise Of their dispute at length been heard
by some officers in another part of the house,
who. coming hastily upon the scene, serara-
ted with much difficulty the obstinate COM
batants
When parted. they each claimed the vic
fopv lIx-A Al 81
ity. to be replaced exactly as they were
when separated. Dupont promising 20 refx
bis sword throug gh Fournier's throat without
increasing the wound
They were finally obliged to force the
latter to bed, and the former out of the
chalet.