Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-12-04

e factorily all affairs Of this kind, Cap
!. tain Shelldrake entered his yawl an,
5 in few minutes was alongside of tn,
staunch brig Rhinoceros. He step
, pedlightly on board, took few turn,
on the quarterback, exchanged some
pleasant conversation with his off
GERS, partook of hearty supper
smoked couple Of "Don Amiga's'
cigars, and turned in feeling conscious
that he had acted well his part fol
that day, at least, and without being
visited by any twinges of a guilty
conscience, he slept soundly through
the night.
I He had hardly finished his break
fast on the following morning when
two strangers came on board. They
were grave, digni6edslooking gentle
men, and by their stiff manners and
brief replies to the questions propos-
ed by the chief mate, had matters of
serious import to communicate. The
interview with Captain Shelldrake
was not of long duration; and when
they left the brig they smiled grimly
when their eyes met. They had ev-
identity accomplished their mission in
a style satisfactory to themselves at
least-they had been doing what they
considered good and Christian
work. They had brought peremp-
tory challenge from Morton to meet
the insulted and infuriated English
man on the beach, back of Moro
Castle, at 5 o'clock that afternoon,
and there, in the presence of friends,
on that lonely spot, where the surf
beats angrily against the rocks, with
pistols, gunpowder, and bullets, rem
der to gentleman the only possible
reparation for his wounded honor
Sheildrake was no fire:eater; he had
never acted even as second or third
in duel; but he promptly consented
to be on the spot at the appointed
hour, and give Mr.. Morton an oppor-
tunity to shoot and be shot at until
the stain upon his reputation was eff
faced by an effusion of blood, and his
satisfaction was complete.
On board the brig Rhinoceros was
a tight-built, lively Milesian, a native
of Dublin. of respectable parentage,
and good education. For some of
bis youthful escapades he had been
expelled from Trinity, had left his
home and adopted the occupation of
a sailor. He was warm hearted fel-
low, that Patrick O'Blarney. but fond
of glass of grog, and terribly given
to fighting, especially when in his
cups He had a set-to at different
times with nearly every one of his
ship-mates, and was seldom seen with
out exhibiting, by way of ornament,
a dark looking circle surrounding one |
of his eyes. At the particular time
to which we refer, both. of his eyes
we're encircled by these badges of
mourning, and one Of them was
swollen out of all reasonable proper
ton.
patrick" said Captain Shelldrake,
with kind and patronizing air, to this
pugnacious Irishman, on this memo
rable morning; "Patriek, you are fond
of fighting, and always looking out
for a chance. What would you say
now, if / would give an opportunity
to fight regular duel in style, with
pistols, at ten PAGES, and gentleman
for your antagnonist?"
"Only say that, Captain, dear, and
it would be the most charming words I
that ever came out of your honor's
vindpipe,' said Patrick, eagerly
"Plant my man fair at ten PAGES, and
if | don't wing him handsomely at
the first shot, call me a land lubber
forever after that!"
'You shall be gratifed, Patrick
A gentleman -Patrick's eyes glis-
tened-'shas challenged me, and |
have accepted the challenge. As |
have high opinion of your courage
and address, / will turn him over to
you-and hope you will give good
account of him. The affair is to take
place this afternoon"
aThe sooner the betterl' exclaim-
ed Patrick O'Blarney, cutting a pi-
geoa wing in the exuberance of bis
Joy. But added be in a hesitating
tone, "my duds are not so neat and
fashionable as could be wished, and |
have no long togs in my Chest
What shall we do in that case?'
''Oh, that difficulty is easily rem-
edied," said the captain. 81 will take