The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-08-25

and confer with suitable ''frlend,'
requested the gentleman to call at two
o'clock for my answer.
: I lost no time in finding Joe McCur-
dy, wuom, after little reflection,
had pitched on as the fittest man for
my purpose.
r The meeting was settled to come of
the next day but one, near Smiths
tavern, about thirty miles up the riv-
er. Col. Goober had an appointment
to speak there that day, and so might
''kill two birds with one stone," as his
friend laconically expressed it.
Joe and the surgeon were to 60 up
the next morning, and I was to fol
low on the afternoon boat, to avoid
suspicion.
The intervening time may as well
be passed over. Ihave no desire to re-
call, and it would but little interest the
reader to be told, the sensations of a
man with near prospect of being shot
on a fixed morning, with no hope of
postponement on account of the wealth
er.
With my best suit in a carpet-bag.
I sprang on board the boat that was
to carry me to my doom.
About half way up, an incident oc-
CURED which came near depriving the
Colonel of all chance of his anticipat-
ed satisfaction, and doubtless would
have done so, but for the law which
preserves from drowning those for
whom Fate has marked out different
programme.
Two men in a canoe were rapidly
approaching the steamer, which lay to
in the middle of the river in answer to
their signals.
When alongside, the better dressed
ofthe two, attempting to leap on board,
missed his footing and fell into the
stream. 1t was evident he could not
swim, and that without speedy assis-
tance, he would certainly be drowned.
1 was not an expert swimmer, "but
what's the odds?' Irefected; "better
die trying to save a fellow-creature's
life, than attempting the opposite.
The thought gave me courage. /
plunged into the water as the drown
ing man was sinking the third time,
and grasped him by the hair. We
went down together, he seeking to
grapple me in his arms. With much
ado kept him off, and rs we came
up, some one had the presence of mind
to throw a rope within my reach, to
which [ clung till the stranger and
myself were drawn on board.
The rescued man was at first insen-
sible, but speedily recovered, and was
profuse in his expressions of gratitude,
which L received with very melan-
choly satisfaction. We then retired
to change our clothing, the stranger
having saved his valise, which he had
flung on board before attempting the
leap SO nearly fatal; myself having, by
good fortune, the extra suit already
mentioned.
I went directly from the landing to
Smiths, where 1 found Captain Nc.
Curdy, who at once conducted me to
the room he had secured, and ordered
snpper to be brought up.
The ColonePs second and the Cap
tain had been out and selected the
ground, and everything was in readi-
ness for six o'clock in the morning.
1 had but little appetite, and got rid
of my friend as speedily as pcs ;ible.
1 wished to be alone. The criminal
condemned to die is favored with the
privilege of spiritual counsel. In my
case, I was obliged to minister to my
self, and felt 1 could do it better il
Joe's absence.
After some hours spent in serious
meditation, 1 threw myself on the bed,
not forgetting the prayers l had too
often neglected of late, and either be-
cause the good deed I had done made
my conscience easier. or because I had
slept none the night before, or for both
reasons together, 1 fell into a delicious
slumber, from which I did not awake
till called by the Captain.
/ was soon with him, and in a quar-
ter of an hour we were on the ground.
Our party, composed Of Joe, myself,
and surgeon-it being stipulated
that our opponents should be restrict
ed to like number-was first on the
field. 1t was not long, however, till
three gentlemen approached from the
opposite direction, and halted at dis
tance of several hundred yards. Joe
and the other second then went to
meet each other, and, after brief con-
ference, proceeded to measure the
ground. Ten PAGES was the distance,
and very short PAGES 1 thought Joe
made them; his stride was anything
but colossal.
"Keep COOL" he whispered, as he
placed the pistol in my hand. "The
giving of the word will be explained af-
ter the parties have taken their places"
McCurdy had previously given me
such instructions as he deemed neces-
sary, touching the use and proper
handling of my weapon. Nothing re-
manned but to place my adversary and
myself in the assigned positions. AS
we advanced for this purpose, 1 fixed
my eyes on my opponent, whom I ex
pected to find total stranger. AT the
same instant we stopped, and gazed at
each other in mutual astonishn,ent.
''This affair cannot proceed p ex-
claimed the Colonel, addressing his
second.
''But 1 tell you it must" expostu-
lated the other with warmth; sit is
too late to reconsider"
- ''Allow me to judge of that sir. 1t
was that man who saved my life yes
terday :; would you insist on my seek
ing has in return ?"
Approaching, he took my hand.
MIR. Parker. he continued, "you
and 1 have said some hard things of