The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-02

told them they were on the water. The pad
| dies of the vessel began to move, the great
wheels churned the water in their revolu-
tons, and the boat glided from the dock in
the direction of Bloody Island.
Many similar expedition had the early
dawn of other days lighted on their way. It's
green and velvet turf had many time been
colored with sanguine hue. The life-blood
of some Of the noblest men Missouri ever
saw had long e'er this welled in crimson cur
rents from veins stricken violently on this
very spot. Ii was a place memorable with
tragic recollections; too soon, alasi to add
another recital to the sanguine page Of its
history.
The sun had already begun to cast long
! lines of varying light on the surface of the
water, as the party moved from the rivers
| brink to little vacant spot in the centre of
the island A thick surrounding growth of
under-brush hid the open plat from the view
of the city. Here life and death might con-
tend for the mastery secure from interruption.
| Deeds of violence could meet with no imped-
! iment. Here, gladiators might contend and
die, and no eye, save the All-Seeing One,
MOuAN 10 oAoNACu AZ INC ApAAiu 4CNCAdLAOA4s
Here, indeed, had often been watched similar
scenes, and the glad earth had drunk their
blood nnd.laft no sion TO warn or TO nrevent.
| Scarcely had Bartrelle's party reached the
spot, before boat containing Warren Hayes
| and his friends shot rupidly from the opposite
bank and approached the island. IL few
moments the gentlemen had met and saluted
each other with that studied politeness which
the rules of the code enforce.
The principals presented an appearance
widely different. As the parties met on the
ground, they lifted their hats to each other
with freezing hauteur; the seconds approached
and shook each other cordially by the hand,
and exhibited the appearance of individuals
engaged in a necessary, if not pleasant
undertaking.
Bartrelle was calm and apparently unex-
cited-a smile, which upon any other occasion
would have been deemed pleasant, played
around his mouth, but it looked to the spec
tators even Implying and cruel, born of a
resolution in which relentless hate was appa-
rent.
Warren Hayes wore gloomy and dissatis-
fed look, in which bitter luminosity and
unrelentiDg ferocity were evidently contend
ing for the mastery But, whatever his
appearance, he was not deficient in courage.
His heart and nerves were calm, and a dead
lier hand and steadier eye never covered
his man in the lists. But when addressed,
his replies were quick and short, and seemed
| jerked from his mouth as if by spasmodic
effort. His opponent, on the contrary, was
affable, urbane and scrupulously polite.
The seconds, after comforting for moment
in an under tone, separated, and Capt. Barry
addressed the group in short, peremptory
tones
Gentlemen, it is agreed between Major
Hartwell and myself that you occupy positions
five PAGES apart, with your backs turned to
each other. Twill stand ten PAGES to the west
of you, and when you are mutually ready
will give the word, fire, and then count three.
Your fire must be delivered between the word
fire and the number three You must wheel
at the word fire. and the man who reserves
his shot falls by my hand"
"These pistols, he proceeded have been
carefully charged by Major Hartwell and my
self Mr.. Bartrelle is entitled to select his
weapon" and holding the pistols by the muz-
zle he approached Bartrelle and extended the
weapons for his selection. Bartrelle took the
pistol with a look of Indifference, and motioned
to his antagonist, as if he would have him
armed at once and the business proceed.
With grave politeness the Captain placed the
weapon in the hands of Hayes and at once
withdrew to his station.
"Now, gentlemen, are YOU ready?"
"Ready," replied Bartrelle.
Ready" echoed Hayes.
"Fire-one-two-three!"
The word fire had scarcely left his lips
when a simultaneous discharge from the pis-
tolls broke upon the air. With heavy groan
Warren Hayes sunk upon the ground, with a
bullet through his chest. Bartrelle remained
standing for an instant and then fell appar-
emily lifeless on his face. The shot had pen
etrated his right side just above the hip.
The friends Of each ran quickly to the fallen
men and raised them from the ground. Res
toratives were at once applied to both, bu, for
long time without benefit. But at last the
exertions of the surgeon were crowned with
success: the hemorhage of the wounds was
stopped, and the stricken men began to revive.
At the first symptoms of returning conscious
ness they were rapidly removed to the boats.
A messenger was despatched for the filters,
which had been previously prepared and
ordered to be in readiness. From the skill of
the antagonists with the pistol, and the close
ness of the positions to each other, the seconds
apprehended the gravest consequences. But
they kept these fears a secret, aud only pre-
pared to have every thing in readiness in case
they were realized.
Sad indeed was the spectacle presented by
the returning boats But an hour before
these men had crossed that intervening space
redolent with health, strength and vigor.
Now, how altered Where now was the Free
elastic step-the arm Of strength-the high
bearing and the eagle look? Alas! all extin-
| 4 Ill - l.