Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-09-01
A Singular Duel.

Major Buford, called, by way of cmnoncc,
"thc Major" was tho most noted duclist of
the, day. A dead shot, a perfect master of
fenoc, and in his cnmitics, utterly relentless,
his name had become a terror to all who
knew him.
!, In tho midst Of knot Of admiring friends,
one day, the Major was discussing his last
"affair," and complacontly explaining how it
camo that he mortally wounded his adversary,
instead of killing him on the spot, when Quo
of two gcnt!emcn standing within hearing,
suddenly advanced and struck him in the
face. The spectators stood aghast What
could have tempted the stranger to rush thus
madly on his fate? lie was an old mau. Al
ready, to appearance, had three score and
ten years passed ever his head. IIo must, in
deed, have been weary of life, whose brief
remnant he was ready to cast away SO reck-
lcssly.
The Major was astonishcd. The very au.
dacity of the act struck him with amazcmcnt.
els the provocation sufficient, or must re.
peat it p inquired his assailant
Tho Majors first impulse was to return blow
for blow. But fierce and violent as W ere his
passions, he had schoolcd himself to complete
mastery over them, and moments reflection
told him how bootlcss, under such circumstar.
ces would be public brA7l. The ndiynty
he had received would admit Of but one rcpa-
ration, and that he determined to lose no time
in seeking.
''rhe insult is sufficient" he answered,
with forced calmncss. "Oblgc mo by nam
ing a fricnd-for your own name [ care not
Ito whom may refer one of my own?"
"Ths gentleman" replied the other, re-
Al oe
turn here in an hour, to confer with any one
you may designate"
And the two strangers took their leave to.
gcthcr.
At sunrise, on the following morning, the
pcaranco on the ground selected. No one
else was present-not even surgeon. The
Major, in his own past experience, never had
needed one; and his opponent, it was plain,
was careless of the consequence.
There was no necessity for delay. The
prcliminarics had been settled. The parties
were to fight with pistols, at ten PAGES, the
combat to continue until ono or both had fll-
leu. One condition had been insisted on by
the stranger, which called an indignant blush
to the Majors check, as it seemed to imply
an imputation upon his honor, though he sub.
mttcd to it with the best grace he could 1t
was, that before placing the combatants the
bodies of both should be inspected, to see that
no secret protective device was employed by
either.
The ground was measured, aud the men
placed. There was marked contrast between
tho two in more respects than that Of years.
The old man, erect and motionlcss as statute
his whitcncd locks floating in the breeze,
never onco looked at his antagonist, though
his sido was turned. His face was stern and
determined, but had nothing malignant in it,
The Major, on tho other hand, glarcd fcrccly
at his foe, seeming even to grudgo him tho
few moments of life yet eked out to him.
"Wero he my father, would kill him !"
he answered, audibly, to some whispered ex-
postulations of his second, who was evidently
touched by the old mans venerable appear
ance.
The pistols were put in the hands of tho
principals. and the giving Of the word cx-
planed.
"Gcntlemcn, arc you ready ~
"Ready," both answered.
Still tho old man moved not, nor did he d.
root single glance at his adversary. His
eyes wcre fixed in front. His attitude was
one Of rapt attention. lIo seemed like one
listening intontly.
"Trre !"
Without changing the direction of his gaze,
or other movement than that of his arm,
which rose with the precision of nicely ad.
jnsted machine, the old man brought his pis-
tol to tho love- Of his encmy's breast For
an instant he held it there Still no look in
tho direction it pointed Still the same ap.
poaranco of eager listening.
n Tho Major was in no hurry IIn could az
ford to take his tmo with man who held
his pistol at random, without looking whittier.
ward. lie took deliberate aim IIo was dc.
terminod to mako sure work. If his ball mis-.
sed his adyersary's heart even fraction of an
inch, he would never make any prctonsion to
skill again.
\ The sharp report Of tho Strangers pistol
was followed by d convulsivc jerk Of tho Ma.
jor's arm, cousing the discharge Of his weapon
far wide Of its mark, while he staggering
few PAGES backward, fell heavily to tho
ground.
"Conduct no to him." said tho old man to
his friend. 81
Tho latter took his principals arm, and
led him to the ptostraLo form Of tho Major,
Mhoso second, kneoling by his sido, had torn