The Shasta courier., 1867-11-23
told him most emphaticanv " No ,

cred to make all necessary arrangements.
My warmest friend in the regiment was a
first Lieutenant named Walker, and | sent
for him at once, desiring him TO act as my
second. At first he tried to dissuade ME
from lighting, but when he found that |
would not retreat he consented to serve me,
though l could see very plainly that he liked
not the business. However, he asked me if
l had instructions to him.
Only two items" | replied "First. |
will fight with pistols and, second, as my
nerves are somewhat unstrung, | would like
that the affair be put off till to morrow morn
ing"
Walker went out with the adiutant; and
when he returned he informed me that the
arrangements were all made-we were to
meet at seven o'clock the following morning
weapons, pistols-distance, twelve PAGES
our seconds to toss for the poslton-to fire at
the word of command.
After dinner | sat down to arrange my
affairs. | wrote several letters, which /
sealed and enclosed in single envelope to be
sent off by my clerk if | should fall. NV
property | gave into Walkers charge, with
instructions how to dispose of it, When
matters had thus been arranged it was well
toward evening, and taking a light cane in
my hand, | walked out for breath of fresh
air.
Nor far from the camp was Morgan's
Falls, a wild romantic spot, where the water
of the river tumbled over a huge bed of brok-
en- rocks; and towards this spot | bent my
stems. just above the falls was bridge Of
logs, where could be obtained one of the
grandest scenes that blessed the eye of an
artist. As l reached the summit of an
eminence near the falls. | saw Il woman and
child standing on the bridge but / lost
sight Of them for a time, as | descended into
the shrubbery. | was just emerging from
the thicket, when a sharp piercing cry of
agony, broke upon my ear, | sprang to the
bridge, and there | saw the Woman-alone
She was wringing her hands and shrck-
ing like crazy creature. was not many
seconds in comprehending the truth Below
the bridge, floating on the troubled water,
saw the child its spreading garments buoy
Ing it up; and | could hear the tiny voice
calling, Mama mama ~
There was not a moment to lose-the child
was going nearer and nearer to the falls
nearer and nearer to its death 1t was a
fearful risk for me, for the chances were that
| should be taken over into the Kissing boil
ing surge, below the rocks But what wes
risk to me then? If | died In the river l
should not stand in the way Of Major Far
wells bullet. | had better thousand times
give up my life thus, than throw it awav in
a duel. The woman saw me, and appealed
to me for helps my coat was of before she
discovered me, and In moment | was in
the water striking out with all my power.
The child was half way from the bridge
to the falls when | started but | swan rap
idly, and caught it just at the point where
the water began to gather for the plunge
1t was a girl, not more than three or four
years old, with bright golden ringlets. large
blue eyes, and face like cherub. She clasp
ed her little arms about my neck, and called
me - Papa"
90 papa-good papa-don't let Kitty 20
into the wicked place down there !"
With all my might | held up the child and
struck for the shore; but it was not to be-
| had been drawn into the swift current and
no mortal could have withstuod it, The
prospect Of the morrow took from me all
fears for the present, and | was more calm
and collected than | might otherwise have
been. As soon as | realized that | must 20
over the falls. [ turned every thought to
saving the child, for, even those few short
moments, the darling had won strangely and
deeply upon my love.
Nearer and nearerl swifter and swifter
the roar of the mad waters growing louder
and louder until at length the edge was
reached. Close to my bosom | bore the
child, shielding as well as | could, and in a
moment my eyes were closed beneath the
boiling food. Down, downtown around
like a top-then over a bed of smooth rocks
ard when | finally opened my eyes | saw the
shore not far off, and quickly discovered that
| could stand on my feet. with my head out
of water.
l reached the shore just as three or four
soldiers came down to the mule path and
they helped me to bed of moss, and took
the child from my arms.
Was the child safe
They told me yes. l looked up and saw
the cherub smile, and then my brain whirled
as it had whirled in the flood, and | sank
into the strong arms of one of my men, quite
dizzy and faint. When | came to myself |
was upon my own bed and Walker and my
orderly were by my side. | started up and
looked around and was not long in remem
bering what had happened. My first inquiry
was for the child | had saved
1.-The nurse took it away" replied nv
orderly, " and it was alive and well.u
Whose child was it?'
it In charge was a stranger, and anxiety on
my account had prevented them asking her
any questions.
1t was now eight O'Clock, and had been
In my quarters an hour. | arose. feeling
quite sore, and my left arm was so lame that
l could not lift | took a little warm wine
and eat light supper, and by ten o'clock l
felt quite strong.
In the morning felt sore and stiff and
was forced to hang my arm in a sling
Walker, when he came, suggested that the
duel be put off, but l would listen to no such
proposition.
A few glasses of wine made me feel better,
and believed my right hand would be
steady enough
At halt-past six we took our pistols
and started for the place, which was in a
secluded spot on the river, about half mile
below the falls. | was somewhat fatigued
when | reached the place, and was forced to
call on my second for his whisky flask. In
a little while the Major and Adjutant made
their appearance, and suggested to Walker
that l would like to have the affair over as
quick as possible, | was growing weak and
shaky, though / did not tell him so. lie