Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-16
a French Duel.

The morning was cold and rainy, and seeing
before him "chaet" through whose windows
shone glorious fire, and whose curious external
stairway descended even to his feet, as if coquet-
ishy inviting him. to share mountain hospitality,
Dupont did not hesitate to mount to the door; he
found the key in the lock, opened and entered
man was seated at desk with his back to the
door-at the noise of the opening he turned his
head, and recognizing the intruder, cried:
"Ah, is it you, Dupont We will take a turn
immediately .a
IL was Fourier who thus spoke.
Faith, am ready, y said Dupont
Fournier took his sword from the corner Of the
room; they fell into positon they crossed weap-
ons. All this passed in n moment--to see, recog-
nize, and provoke, and attack each other was as
natural and spontaneous to breathe. Ii was
only between the passes that they coDversed
u thought you were employed in the Interior
said Fourier sG7
"The minister gives me the fourth division. ("
"lndeed, how fortunate! | command the cav
airy there. So you have just arrvedf'
"This instant"
"And thought of me the FIRST thing--how ami
able you arer
"No, really. did not know you were here
seeing fire through these windows as I was
about to pass, stopped to warm myself
seThis exercise will warm you sufficiently"
The fight became fercer-Fournier hazarded
pass, which Dupont taking advantage of, pushed
him so vigorously that he was forced to give back
Dupont advanced steadily within distance, cry
ing Mog $50
"Ahal You run You runi'
"Not at all only retreat. Do you think |
am going TO let you split me like sparrow 20
"The room is small; shall drive you to the
waltz Hv.
owe shall see - 5.
See then ~ and as Dupont said this, he press
cd Fournier literally into the corner, and his
sword piercing the muscles of Fournier's neck,
pinned him to the wooden wall like family por-
trait badly hung.
"The dewitt" cried the spitted general.
You did not expect this!" said Dupont.
ION the contrary, IL is you who do not expect
what will happeni'
Indeed, what is about 10 happen, tbeni'
why, the moment you draw out your sword,
J shall thrust mine into your stomach, and you
'''rrue," replied Dupont, pressing his sword
with great force into the logs of the cottage wall
wall fori'' -
81 am taking precaution against your lunge in
my stomach"
'You cannot avoid it, the moment You with
draw, You die!"
81 shall not withdraw till you throw down your
sword"
: ut is impossible for you to keep your arm thus
strained for ten minutes, il must drop, and yon
receive my thrust" nNs.t
"You are unreasonable, your blood is flowing,
in ten minutes your eyes will close y
eve shall see -
Z Every well. am not impatient"
Nor |. We will abide the result ~
This contest would probably have been pro-
longed TO fatal termination, had not the noise
OF their dispute at length been heard by some of.
hcers in another part Of the house, who, coming
hastily upon the scene, separated with much dfii5
Guilty the obstinate combata nts ~
When parted they each claimed the victory,
and finally demanded, with great gravity, to be
replaced exactly as they were when separated,
Dupont promising TO refx his sword through
Fournier's throat without increasing the wound.
They were finally obliged TO force the latter 10
bed, and the former out of the chalet.