Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-05-22

his hand and flung it violently at Bateman' S
head.
The Yankee, though seemingly intent
upon his mush, which he had now thor
oughly imbued with molasses and butter,
kept watch, however, with the corner of
his eye, and lodged the knife as is flew
whizzing past his head. AT the same time,
dropping his spoon, he slipped his palm
under his plate, and adroitly dashed it,
mush foremost, plump into the duelists
face. The center of the reeking mass struck
his nose, which, operating as a wedge,
caused the clammy supper of the Yankee
to spread itself with Accommodating facili-
ty over the whole frey visage of the duel
ist, and stop up every hollow in said Wis
age-eyes and ears not excepted. A con-
siderable quantity became entangled in his
huge bushy whiskers, the superfluity glid-
ing down with the plate made a lodgment
in the bosom, and the manifold convolu-
tions of the frill that stuck out prominent
ly in front. Happily for the duclist the op-
Grafton of mixing and compounding the
plaster had SO reduced its temperature that
it was not quite scalding hot. and the eye
lids had instinctively closed themselves on
the approach of the slap dashing applica-
ton, or those glaring eyeballs would never
again have directed a pistol ball at the heart
Of an enemy.
He was led by the hand to back porch
where, after minutes washing, the ORR
fees and cavities of his face were cleared
of the adhesive mixture, he was able again
to see, hear, smell and speak. When he
found his organs free, though he still wept
blood from the rude contents Of the heavy
pewter plate, he began to roar out torrents
of oaths, imprecations, and threats against
the Yankee, who had already began to feed
his hunger upon second plate of hasty
pudding, as if nothing had happened. In
spite of the entreaties of the company, the
raving bully started up stairs for his pistols,
swearing in the most violent manner that
he would shoot the offending pedagogue
upon the spot.
Presently he was heard on his return,
cursing and swearing as violently as ever.
Fly, Bateman, fly said the company; 'he
will shoot YOU L guess not, said the Yam
kee, but | may have to soften his manners
With something harder than hasty pudding
SO saying, he picked up a heavy fire shov
ell at the hearth, and posted himself be-
hind the door by which Bickerton had to
enter.
While some were endeavoring to dissuade
the furious bully from his purpose, the
Yankee said to those in the room with him:
tell him to challenge me; l will meet him
in the field of honor When this message
was first delivered to the duelist, he only
raved and sworc the more tiercely, and de-
manded an immediate access to the inso-
lent pedagogue, that he might drive bull
let through his heart. He was first grad
ually reduced to reason, however, by the
argument of Il lawyer in the company, who
told him if he killed the Yankee now, he
would be liable to the punishment of amur-
derer, but that he might shoot him in the
field of honor without getting himself into
the fangs of the law. The duelist falt the
force of the argument; for in those days an
honorable gentleman, in fine coat and
rufflcd shirt was in some danger of being
hanged for wilful murder. Now, only the
friendless and beggarly murderers are liza
bic to the gallows. But then, as now, the
murderers in a duel had nothing to fear
from the law, but might be raised to the
highest honors by the popular favor. There
fore. Bickerton, believing that he could sa-
tiate his malice as certainly in duel as by
instant assassination, returned to his room
and penned challenge in due form, ac-
corning 10 the COue oil honor. Bateman
promptly accepted it, to the dismay of his
friends, who now looked upon him as no
better than a dead man. He had the right
as the challenged party, to prescribe the
terms of fight. They were to meet on the
next day at the great Indian mound, about
half mile from the town, in dense for
est; they were to have no seconds, but
were to sand ten yards apart, and either
of them might fire at pleasure after call
ing to the other, Stop, take care Of your-
seT' Their friends might stand fifty
yards off to see that those terms were du-
ly observed; but were not to interfere
unless they were violated. Nearly every
one wished the Yankee success, but ex-
pected only to see him killed at the first
fire
So, on the next day at the appointed
hour, the redoubtab.c Major strut,ed forth
to the field of honor, with a well charged
brace of pistols wrapped up In n handker-