, 1863-03-05
An UnSoueht Duel.

timid Of mankind, and that its influence often
extends not less to our sleeping than to our wax
ing moments. II is related OF the famous Tu.
renne that, on the eve Of battle, no effort Of
reason could prevent Q universal tremor from
selling on him, and that be was once heard thus
to apostrophise bis body -" TFemble and shake,
thou vile carcasei Happily for thee, thou knowest
not half the dangers that await thee tomorrow"
Nor Is there perhaps, more striking illustration
Of the fatal effect Of this allperVading sentiment
to be found in modern works, than g shown in
the old Arabian tale, wherein that terrible scourge
the Plague Is pefsoniied; and brought into con.
versation with dervish.' have Just returned
from Cairo," said the former, "where have
slain fifteen thousand individuals" "Thou ut
terest an untruth," replied the dervish, "for
thirty thousand have died there through thy
means" al tell thee truly, thou holy man, that
fffeeG thousand were alone cut of BY me-" SAID
the plague; the other fifteen thousand died Of
fear"
But without citing instances Of sentiment Of
which all ha1e Ii turn, from the youngest to the
Oldest experienced the influence, the following
individual himself can hardly Giil 0f interesting
the reader. It Is merely necessary 10 premise
that the principal speaker had, In consequence Of
some hasty words, uttered in . moment Of pas
sion, received challenge. As Q circumstantial
account true 10 the letter; Of the phenomena Of
the imagination re-aeting on the body while op.
pressed BY sense Of approaching danger, Il has
seldom been surpassed;
The night was already considerably advanced,
and notwithstanding al my efforts, could not
keep awake NV eyelids closed In spite Of me,
and Ii was with the greatest difficulty could re.
main seated at the table, where l was engaged
In drawing up my last will and testament. To
write ones testament when one has only attained
bis twentieth year, is something beyond the com.
mon but the fact Is, my excellent ftiendj Bob
Harding, was anxious to see everything properly
arranged, In case an unlucky shot should sud.
denly dispatch me to the other world. Besides,
Il was necessary to put my few trining debts In
order therefore continued TO WRITE struggling
against sleep, while heartily wishing far enough
the charming Amelia, the original cause Of my
sitting up so late and that the Joyous party Of the
preceding day, the accidental cause Of all my
troubles, bad not taken place. Some one knocked
at the door; then entered: Il was Bob, who pre-
sented grave Physiognomy suited to the oeca'
sion.
"Already heref" I exclaimed with surprise.
"What O'Clock is Il, thenf"
at wants few minutes Of SIX, he replied.
"Indeedi" said I then the ulghI has passed
quickly. There, receive my testament, which
recommend 10 your care"
al trust shall have no occasion to look into
It's contents, said Bob But make haste" he
added the hour approaches"
"How singular" remarked, while making
ready to leave the house 81 should never have
imagined Il was 90 very late"
"You must have slept while waiting for me"
said Bob. "The sleep Of great generals on the
eve Of their frst battle is Of good augury."
"To think that I should have to expose my
life for woman, Who perhaps, ct heart cares
nothing for mel" exclaimed.
"lf one could but arrange the affair."" said
Bob.
ado you think me capable Of such pOltrOOn-
ery" asked. "Iam unwilling to Withdraw
single expression. Let Us set of"
We reached the ground. Ny adversary had
preceded us He was Q tall, raw-boned fellow,
with sinister expression Of countenance and
moustaches more formidable than any exhibited
BY the Foot Guards on their arrival from the
Crimea. A cold formal salutation was exchanged
on both sides, when the seconds proceeded to ar
range the customary preliminaFies Ny anita
gonist was called on to measure the distance at
which we should be placed. AT first Gelicitated
myself on the choice; his legs were 50 long that
one Of his steps equalled two Of mine. Alas
he took care to open his compasses only in the
least possible degree.
"Is this distance sufficient Z" he inquired, In
the most natural tone, and with coolness truly
provoking. The seconds acquiesced. snow,
the question Is, whose arms We shall employ" be
continued in an easy oi.handed way. any pis-
tolls are better than yours VIII you accept
themI Il will terminate the business all the
sooner"
Such careless indifference Of manner made
me wild. "Ileaye that decision to the seconds"
replied.
Bob Harding agreed to the proposition, and In
placing me, be said in an undertone, "Courage,
my dear friend, cOuragei II Is merely 70 alarm
you that be is playing the swagger. His gas
conade bodes him no good. You have right on
your side, and will come OF victorious am sure
Of It."
"Now," observed my adversary, tive must
decide who Is to Gre first Here Is crown
piece--let Us toss for Il" n,...
Chance favored him; was doomed to receive
his FIRE.
SCouragel" once more repeated Bob, warmly
pressing my hand, and then withdrew . few
PAGES
lively eyed my adversary. He was taking do.
liberatc aim. His cold and fixed look met my
Tecesses Of my heart His were the eyes Of the
falcon, hieinafing dove in order TO render it q
sure prey. All At once felt violent shock In
my elbow, and at the same moment heard the
detonatioti Of the pistol. Ny arm dropped pow.
erless, the weapon fell from ny hand and cold
perspiradon exuded at every pore. Bob sprang
towards me, and bhndaged the wound with his
neckerchIeE
"'The gentleman Is wounded 2" inquiringly
+ observed my adversary, accompanying the words
with an ironical smile.
"NO 1t Is nothing" Aid IL mere scratch"
4 I" I shall take your place." slid Bob, while
about 10 pick up the pistol
/ al shall continue de combat myself" / re-
piled, and endeavofed 10 snatch up the weapon
which had dropped ct my ket but the en6rt
Wab vain-l bad no strength to lit t.
Try Il win the len hand" exclaimed Bob.