Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-11-02
A SINGULAR DUEL.

| CmlHCHS0, WV A'A'JON
noted duelist of the day. A dead
shot, q perferct master OF fence, and
in his enmities, utterly relentless, his
name had become a terror to all who
knew him.
In the midst Of knot of admiring
friends, one day, the Major was dis
cussing his last "affair," and com
placently explained how it came that
he mortally wounded his adv rsary,
instead of killing him on the spot,
when one of two gentlemen standing
within hearing, Suddenly advanced
and struck him in the face. The spec
tators stood aghast. What could have
tempted the stranger to rush thu
madly on his fate? He was an old
man. Already, to appearance! had
three-score and ten years passed over
his head. He must, indeed, have
been weary of life, whose brief rem
nant he was ready to cast away so
recklessly.
The Major was astonished. The
very audacity Of the act strucI: him
with amazement.
"Is the provocation sufficient, or
must I repeat it?" inquired his as
sailant.
The Majors first impulse was to
re+nrn blow for blow But fierce and
violent as were his passions, he had
schooled himself to complete mastery
over them, and moments reflection
told him bootless, under such cir
cumstances would be a public brawl.
The indignity LIE had received would
admit Of but onereparatlon, and that
he determined to lose no time IN
seeking.
"The insult is sufficient" he an
swered, with forced calmness. "O5lige
me by naming friend--lor your
own name l care MOTTO whom may
| refer one of my own
"This gentleman, replied the 9th
er, resuming the arm OF his compan-
ion, "will return here in an hour,
to confer with any one you may de-
signate.
And the two strangers took their
leave together.
At sunrise, on the following morn
ing, the principals and their seconds
made their appearance on the ground
selected. No one else was present
NOT even surgeon. The Major,
in his own past experience, never
required one ; and his opponent, 1t was
plain, was careless Of The consequence.
There was no necessity for delay.
The pfaliminaries had been settled.
The parties were to fight with pistols,
at ten PAGES, the combat to continue
until one or both had fallen. One
condition had been insisted on by the
stranger, which called an indignant
blush to the Majors cheek, as it seem
ed to imply an imputation upon ms
honor, though he submitted to it
with the best grace he could. 1t was,
that before placing the combatants
the bodies of both should be inspec-
ted, to see ilsl4Lt nl2? secrect protective
device was employees by .aitEA.er.
The ground was measured. and cue
men placed. There was marked
contrast between the two III more
respects than that Of years. The Old
man, erect and morioniess as statue,
his whitencd locks floating in the
breeze, never once at looked his
antagonist, though his side was turned
His face was stern and determined,
but had nothing malignant in it The
Major, on Tie otherand. glarel tieFce!y
at his foe, seeming wen to ern.lse
him the few sno.42c.ta oi lie ye; ehet'
out to him.
!" We're he my fother, | would Kill
himM be S4n4were9; andihly, to some
whispered e.Spostiila.i2a q his sec
ond, who was evidently toncha:i py
the old mans venerable appearance.
Tile pistols were put in the hands
of the principals, and the giving OF
the word explained.
Gentlemen, are you ready?"
"Ready," both answered.
Still the old man moved not, nor
did he direct single glance at his
adversary. His eyes were fixed IN
front. His attitude was one of rapt
attention. He seemed like one lis
tening intently.
Fire
Without changing the direction of
his gaz,, Or other movement than
that Of his arm. which rose with the
precision Of nicely adjusted ma
chine, the old man brought his pistol
to the level of his enemy's breast.
For an instant he held itthere. Still
no look in the direction it pointed.
Still the same appearance OF eager
The Major was in no hurry. He
could afford to take his time with
man who held his pistol at random,
without looking witherward. He took
deliberate aim. He was determined
to make sure work. If his bali miss
ed his adversary's heart, even the
fraction of an inch. he would never
make any pretention to skill again.
the sharp report of the strangers s
pistol was followed by convulslve
jerk of the Majors arm, causing the
discharge of his weapon tor VIDE Of
its mark, while he, staggering a few
PAGES backward, fell heavily to the
ground. !. ;, =,
man to his friend.
The latter took his principals arm,
and led him to the prostrate form of
1