The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1865-10-14
CHAPTER TIT.

tain letters to friends, in the event of the
duel being fatal to him, when the nppoiu.
ted time had elapsed and Louspilac
and Beautrand made their appearances
But little time wOs los: IN prepara
tons. LouispilIac produced his pistols
They were loaded by the seoood.,
Beautrand produced n silk 'andanra,
and Jacques large bandaga Of cottpn
material to blindIo}d the comb4tau;s.
The terms Of the duel were dlstinnrjy
read over By Jacques and Beau ri1d. and
each step of the affair taken in accor'
dance Herewith
"If in this duel in the dark we miss
each other on the circle OF tne mill,
remarked Louspillac, ''do We we begin
again you say nothing about it in the
conditions"
That l understand, without saying
it."
Every well then, | am ready
A this point LousplIsce coolly pro
eeeded to take of his boots, ana PIT oa
his felt slippers. Jacques declared this
shouli not be allowed. Beau'raai pDin
ted to the written conditions, saying
GAIL that is not forbidden is consider.
ed permitted.
"That is ri2ht--qaitc right" sril
Darlington. "Ne can make no uhicc.
ton, it has not been forbidden. Come,
bandage our eyes and pn: in our p!a-
ces."
Beautraud blindfolled the eyes ot
Darlington with the folds of the large
handkerchief he had provided, while
Jacques did the same thing etfocta2llv
for Louspillac. Beautranl conducted
Darlington ami placed him SO that Lou7.
pillac conld have the privilege Of using
his pistol hand, as he desired Jacques
having stationed Louspillac, the com.
batants stood back to back
Beautrand having won tho giving Of
the word. then gave it. One. two, three,
fire , and the struggle commenced.
Louspillac moved forward slowly and
cautiously, following tn turn Of the mill
Darlington did not move ct all. but ap.
piled himse!fto listen to the slightest in
dication that wouli inform him of The
moment when his adversary, hagiul
made the circuit, and emerging on hi.
side Of the mill, they would inevitably
meet
It was n moment Of intense anxiety
The ears Of the combatants we're on the
alert to catch the Sigh test sound
by which they could win an advantage
The felt slippers Of Louspjliac permitted
him to move over the ground withon,
producing the least sound. I, was the
knowledge OF this advantage Of Louspil.
ac's that kept Darlington immovable. as
the creaking of his boots would bctray
him.
Louspilac had come to within a few
feet of Darlington He felt certain he
must be approaching Darlington, and he
moved forward with the greatest caution,
All his powers were exertel. every nerve
on the stretch to gain, if only By
breath Of wind, some knowledge Of his
antagonists position.
Ii was at this moment that the ear OF
Darlington caught the sound of the
touching of Lonspilac's coat against
the wall Of the MILL As he heard the
sound, he dropped slowly on one knee,
with his head inclined and pistol projee-
ted.
Beautrand who saw and comprehended
the effect of this movement, mad con
vulsivo start, as if about to cqutoa Loa.
spillac OF his danger ; but Jacqpes sciz,
ing hold of him with his powerful arm.
said nothing but pointed 70 the clause
in the paper, "All that is not Tor bldden
is considered permitted. Beautrand re,
mained quiet.
Louspillac caught the sound Of the
movement Of Darlington as he went down
on his knee. The sound was but at al
arms length from him. Convinced that
his pistol covered the spot from whence
;5a souua had oome. he drew Tiger and