Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-07

An - Affairs between a Whaling Captain
and n Military Oliieer

marara. 1t has been variously related,
but the only true version is as follows :
Captain Zachariah Lovett, after hay-
ing performed several whaling voyages
to the Pacific, found himself in COM
mand Of a small brig belonging to New
York. on a voyage to Demarara. He
was worthy man and a good specimen
of a YaI kee sailOr-his heart was full of
the milk of human kindness, but he
possessed a noble spirit and would
neither give nor take an Insult.
While his little brig Cinderella lay at
anchor In Demarara river, Captain Low
EFT one afternoon entered a coffee house
where he met with a friend, and amused
themselves by knocking the balls about
in the billiard room. Soon after. and
before the ga ne was half finished some
English military officers entered, one of
whom, Capt. Bigbee, stepped up to
Capt. LOyett, who was arrayed in a
plain, not to say ordinary costume, and
with bullying air demanded the table,
as himself and brother officers wished
TO play a match.
Capt. Lovett gave the relocated gem
tleman a stern look, but replied with
courtesy, that he and his friend had en-
gagged the table, and wOuld play ont
their game, after which, if the gentle
man wished to play, it was at their SER
vice.
''But we can't wait, " said Capt. Big
bee, in an insolent tone.
''You must wait, then, coolly replied
Captain LOvett.
'.Bnt we shall do no such thing, ex-
claimed the surley Briton. eve came
here to play billiards, and we have no
idea of being disappointed by couple
of fellows who hardly know a mace from
a cue, or a ball from a pocket 1t will
take You all the afternoon to finish the
game, sO clear out
Captain Lovett and his friend played
on.
Come" continued the officer,
''enough of this-,narker place the
balls. Saying which with most i'm
pudent air, he seized one of the balls
which Capt. Lovett's opponent had inst
driven into the pocket, and caught up
another which was near him
The matter was growing serious
Capt. LOvett's eye flashed fire, for al
though he had mingled great deal
among the Quakers, and respected that
moral sect for their humility and quiet.
demeanOr, be was no NONRESIDENT man
himself. He doubled mp his fist of por-
tentious size.
''Put those balls upon the table you
scOundrel, exclaimed he imperatiyely,
t'and leave the room"
'Who do You call scoundrel. Won
Yankee blackguard? Do you know that
You are talking to one of his maiesty's
officers? Take that for your impotence"
at the same time suiting the action to
the word, and hitting Capt. Lovett
across the shoulder with the cue. But
In an instant he received blow on his
forehead, exactly where phrenologists
locate the organ of eventuaIity, which
would have felled an OK, and submits
siveiy acknowledged the favor by meas
uriug his length upon the floor
His brother officers who were with
him had the good sense to see that Big
bee was to blame-and though they
looked rather black at the Yankees they
wisely fOrbOre to modest them further
but assisted the stunned bully into
another room, where by the help of
some restOratives, he soon recovered
his senses. His rage and modification
at the result of the rencounter, knew no
bounds, and with many a bitter oath
he determined to have satisfaction.
Before Capt. Loyett left the coffee
house, billet was handed him by Lieut..
James, which proved to be a challenge !;
peremptory challenge form Capt. Big
bee, In which he insisted that arrange
ments should be made for an early meet
ing, that he might have an opportunity
to wash off the affront he had received,
in Capt LOvett's heart-blood.
Capt. Lovett smiled when he saw
such manifestation of christian spirit.
Tell Capt. Bigbee," said he, ''that
will not baulk him. He shall have the
opportunity he SO earnestly seeks. Al
though not a fighting man, 1 am famil-
lar with the dnel laws, and if he will be
tomorrow morning on the Green canal,
near he south quay, rather a secluded
spot, he shall have satisfaction to his
hearts content"
Lieut.. James bowed politely and Cap
tain Loyett went on board the Cinder-
lila soon after, and ordered his mate, Mr..
Starbuck, also a veteran whale hunter,
TO select the two best harpoons, have
them nicely fitted, as an opportunity
+ might offer ON the morrow Of striking
pOrpoise. Mr.. Starbuck obeyed his
superior officer with alacrity, although
he wondered not little why Capt Low
EFT expected to find porpoises In Dema-
rara river,
The next morning, as soon as all
hands were called, Capt. Lovett or
dered the boat to be manned, and re-
quested Mr.. Starbuck to take the two
harpoons, to each of which some eight
or ten fathoms of rattling stuff were at
tached, and accompany him on shore
In few moments the boat reached the
south quay, where Capt Lovett was
met by several of his countrymen, who
had been attracted to the spot by the
rumor of the duel as well as several
merchants and other inhabitants of the
place. They one and all demonstrated
with Capt. Lovett for cOnsenting to
fight with the English bully, who was
represented rs practical dnelist- an
expert swordsman and an unrivaled
marksman, with pistol, being sure of
ms man at twelve PAGES. Capt. LOvett,
however, did not show the least inclina-
ton to back cut, but on the contrary,
seemed more eager for the engagement.
Ill give that quarrelsome fellow les
son, said he, (which will be of service
to him, and which he will never forget,
as long as his name is Bigbee."
The challenger, with large patch to
cover the impression left by the Yankee
Inupklaa 0n1 l1s a,-og l.v.I.-