The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-08-12
A Singular Duel.

nence, "tse Major" was the most noted
duelist of the day. A dead shot, per-
feet master of fence, and in his enmities
utterly relentless, his name had become
n terror to all who knew him.
In the midst of knot of admiring
friends, one day, the Major was discus
sing his last affair, and complacently ex-
planning how it came that he mortally
wounded his adversary, instead of killing
him on the spot, when one of the two
gentlemen standing within hearing, sud-
denly advanced and struck him in the
face. The spectators stood agbast.
What could have tempted the stranger
to rush thus 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 remnant
he was ready to cast away so recklessly
The Major was astonished The very
audacity of the act struck him with
amaZement.
SIS the provoca' ion sufficient, or must
Irepear it ?" inquired his assailant
The Majors first impulse was to return
blow for blow. But fierce and violent as
were his passions, he had schooled him
self to coTpleto mastery over them, and
| a moments reflection told him how boot
less, under the circumstances, would be a
public brawl. The indiguity he had
received would admit of but one repara-
| ton, aud that he determined to lose no
time in seeking.
'.The insult is sufficient" he answered,
with forced calmness. ssOblige me by
naming friend-for your own | care
MOTTO whom may 1 refer one of my
own 2"
This gentleman" replied the other.
resuming the arm of his companion, 'will
return here In an hour, to confer with
any one you may designate"
And the two strangers took their leave
together.
At sunrise, on the following morning,
the principals and their seconds made
their appearance on the ground selected.
! No one else was present-not even a
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
preliminaries had been settled. The
parties were to fight with pistols, at ten
/
or both had fallen. One condition had
been insisted on by the stranger, which
called an indignant blush to the Majors
check, as it seemed to imply an imputa.
ton upon his honor, though he submitted
to it with the best grace he could II
was, that before placing the combatant'
the bodies of both should be inspected
to sec that no secret protective device
was employed by either.
The ground was measured, and the
men placed. There was a marked con
trast between the two in more respect:
than that of years. The old man, cree,
and motionless as statue, his whitenc
locks floating in the breeze, never once
looked at his antagonist, though hi.
side was turned. Ills face was stern and
determined, but had nothing malignant
in it. The Major, on the other hand
glared fercely at his foe, seeming even t.
grudge him the few moments Of life ye
eked out to him.
"Were he my father, / would xii
hirl !" he answered. audibly, to som,
whispered expostulations of his second
who was evidently touched by the ole
mans venerable appearance.
The pistols were put in the hands o
the principals, and the giving of til,
word explained.
"Gentlemen. are you ready 2'
"Ready," both answered.
Still the old man moved not, nor di,
he direct single glance at his adversary
His eyes were fixed in front. His atti
tude was one of rapt attention. H
seemed like one listening attentively.
.sFTue"
Without changing the direction of hi
gaze, or other movement than that O
his arm, which rose with the rrecisio
of nicely adjusted machine, the oil
man brought his pistol to the level Q
his enemiy's breast. For an instant h
held it there. Still no look in the diree
ticn it pointed Still the same appear
ance of eager listening.
The Major was in no hurry. H
could afford to take his time with a ma
who held his pistol at random, withou
looking whitherward. He took detiber
ate aim. He was determined to max
sure work. IF his ball missed his adver
sary's heart, even fraction of an incl
he would never make any pretension t
skill again.
The sharp report of the stranger
pistol was followed by convulsive jerl
of the Major'sarm, causing the discharg
of his weapon far wide of its mark, Will
he, staggering few PAGES backward
fell heavily to the ground.
conduct ME to him" said the old maj
to his friend.
The latter took the principals arm
and led him to the PROSTATE form of th
Major whose second kneplino by hi
side. had torn open his garments. expos
ing to view the fatal wound in his breast
made by the strangers bullet.
us your friend seriously hurt?" in
quired the latter, cody.
.You can see for yourself, sir tn
second answered.
There you're in error" replied tn
other ~ an, totally bind"
The wounded man, who had by thi
time revived little, and his second