The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-05-16

the stuff no more. Still 1 was foec-'
ed to take stiff, hot toddy to steady
my nerves, and after [ had dressed
myself, sat down to a quiet cup of
coffee / was thus engaged, when
our Adjhtaht, Mr.. Bowker, entered
my quarters. babe him good
morning, and asked him ifhe would
not take some breakfast with the.
"Not now'' said he, shaking his
head. II have called upon business.
Do you remember that you struck
the Major last night p
eyes / remember it very we'll
remember it too WELL
"He expects you will make an
apology persued the Adjutant,
"And if / do not %
"Then you must fight him.
"You were present, Bowker, dur
ing the entire scene ?"
eyes"
"Then I wish you to tell me the
truth, for am free to confess that
my brain was on bit of whirl last
night. First, did l in my toast to
Mrs. Farwell, give him the least oe-
casion for ll-feeling p
81 could see none, Captain; but
you remember he had been drink
ng.
Exactly; and in that we were
even. And nOw-did he not, in the
presence of the whole company,
threaten to kick me from his quar-
ters -
Yes"
''And did he not lay his hand up
on me before | struck him p
Il cannot be positive, but l think
he did,
Then, said I, drinking the last of
my coffee, Il shall make no apollo
gy."
''You will remember, Captain, that
the Major is dead shot, and that
in the handling of sword he has
no equal" suggested Bowker.
II care nothing about that" I
knew the temper of our officers, and
l knew that I should be held in light
esteem if [ allowed the Major to
to back me down. Once more Bow
ker asked me to apologize.
[ told him most emphatically,
s.No."
Then" he added, II have instruc-
tions to deliver this note"
He handed me an unsealed mis-
sive, which | found to be a challenge,
and by it / was informed that Adju
tant Bowker was empowered to make
all necessary arrangements.
My warmest friend in the regi
ment was a lst Lieutenant named
Walker, and sent for him at once,
desiring him to act as my second.
At first he tried to dissuade me from
fighting, but when he found that I
would not retract, he consented to
serve me, though I could see very
plainly that he liked not the bust
ness. However, he asked me if I
had any instructions to give him.
S'Only two items,'' l replied
"First, will fight with pistols sec
ond, and as my nerves are somewhat
unstrung, I would like that the af-
fair be put off till tomorrow morn
ing"
Walker returned with the Adju-
tant, and when he returned he in
formed me that the arrangements
were all made We were to meet at
Z o'clock the following morning
weapons, pistols-distance, II spa
ces-Our seconds to toss for choice
of positions-to fire at the word OF
command
| After dinner sat down to arrange
my affairs.
| l wrote several letters, which I
sealed and enclosed in a single ell
velope, to be sent off by my clerk in
case should fall My property I
gave into Walkers charge, with in
structions how to dispose of it
When matters had been thus arrang-
ed it was well toward evening, tax
ing light cane in my hand, / walk
ed out for breath of fresh air.
Not far from the camp were Nor
gan's Falls, a wild, romantic spot,
where the water of the river tum-
bled over huge bed Of broken
rocks and towards this spot l bent
my stops. Just above the falls was
a bridge of logs, from which could
be obtained one of the grandest
scenes that ever blessed the eye OF
an artist. AS [ reached the summit
of an eminence near the falls, / saw
a woman and child standing upon
the bridge, but 1 lost them for 6
time, as | decended into the shrub
berry. ] was just emerging from the
i thickest when sharp piercing CRY
: of agony broke upon my ear.
sprank to the bridge, and there saw
the woman-alone.
She was wringing her hands anC
shrieking like crazy creature.
q was not many minutes in compre
e hending the truth Below the bridge
e floating on the troubled waters, / say
the child, its spreading garment
buoying it up; and could hear it
0 tiny voice calling Mamma! man
: MAJ"
There was not q moment to b
J. lost The child was going neare
Y to death It was fearful risk 70
2, me, for the chances were that
l. should be taken into ihe kissing boil
ing surge beneath the rock. Blu
n what was the risk to me then? If
u died in the river should not stan
e in the way of Major Farwelrs. bulle
1T 1 had better a Thousand times Civ
up my life life thus, than throw
"a away in the duel. The woman sa'
1t me, and appealed to me for help
,; but my coat was off before she dis
'd covered me, and in a moment I ws
I'D in the water, striking out with all m
" power.
The child was half way from til
s bridge to thd falls when I started
re but swan rapidly, and caught
is just at the point where the water b
is gan to gather for the plunge. 1t W:
ed a girl, not more than three Or fol
i