The Placer herald., 1871-09-23
MY FIRST AND LAST DUEL.

1t took place eight years ago. | was
better shot then than now--that is, more
certain, perfectly certain. have practiced
little of late; then, | could do anything,
everything with pistol. Well, was pass
ing the winter in Naples; it was not my first
season there, and a more than usually pleas
ant winter it had been to me, owing to re-
markably agreeable circle had got among
socially.
One of the best fellows of this set was an
Austrian by the name Of Geyer, an officer on
furlough, and the best pistol-shot I ever saw
except myself (Here the eyes coruscated
again.) We were the best friends in the
world, till one night, after leaving the opera,
Il party of half dozen or so-the talk was
the beauties of "Napoli the Fair of one in
particular-and a rash wager was laid be-
tween Captain Geyer and myself-(no mat
ter what it was exactly-enough to know
that it involved the honor of la belle NapoH-
tame in question)-during supper, and in
consequence of a somewhat heated argu-
ment.
Next morning regretted the bet, but
pique forbade me Withdrawing or paying
forfeit, and-n short, won it. Then, not
till then, swear, did discover how had
injured poor Geyer. Forgive my emitting
details; they are, to say the least, useless
here Suffice it to say that Geyer challenged
me, and the circumstances compelled me to
accept, while, at the same time, they abso
lutely forbade my lifting my hand against
his life. | was in dilemma far from agree
able to contemplate. could not shoot Geyer.
had not the least desire to be shot by him.
Yet owed him the satisfaction, so called,
of duel, and no apology could avert it, had
felt inclined to apologize. There was moth
ing for it but to go out, and out we went.
have said that the captain was a crack
shot, as sure, perhaps, as myself, but slower.
This | had often remarked in shooting with
him. He invariably fired after the word
"two," or, if he attempted to pull trigger
sooner, always shot wide. Upon this rested
my whole chance of safety. had determ
med upon my plan, and, desperate as it ap-
peared, felt sure of success. Should Geyer
fire before bis usual time, was confident he
But otherwise land did not think he would
pull too soon, for he knew his "point" as
we'll as |, and was cool and full of nerve), !
had but one chance, and eye and hand were
to carry me through-they never had failed
me before, why should they then?
So there we stood, the ground stepped ten
PAGES, pistols lowered, waiting the signal
1t was given. raised my weapon a frac-
'on of a second quicker than Geyer-a pause
of a couple of heart rt-beats-Geyer would not
fire hurliedly-I saw my only chance-fash !!
both triggers pulled at the same instant of
time, as ! intended-a single-double report
The smoke cleared away-and there we both
stood untouched. had done it.
"Dore what? ?" exclaimed every one at
The table, with eager voice, as Symmes paus-
ed a moment, while his eyes once more
geemed merrily.
Simply stopped the captains bullet, I"
said Symmes, quietly. 81 took advantage
Of Geyers slower aim, fired directly at the
mouth of his pistol, taking care to pull trig-
ger exactly when he did, and consequently
my ball met his half way, and saved my life.
"Diable! Diable!" muttered Belril,
for the taking in of this marvel.
" Mais en- rer'ite!" cried De Mallery,
"rous dered etre le diable en- perso,ole, mon
cher !.
The other conrires, myself included, were
silent; our feelings were 6" too many for us. ;"
But Symmes poured himself out bumper
of Burgundy, silently drank it slowly off,
then, looking round the circle, among some
of whom, perchance, slight, very slight,
suspicion of incredulity began to show itself
about the corners of the mouth, he said, with
| tbo ,;,,lyl lo of
81 hope you don't doubt my story, gentle
men, for"
But that of FIVE diamonds was still,
''though lost to sight, to memory dear" with
all of us; and an universal "Oh! by no
means;" "of course not" interrupted our
guest here, with Obligatos of other polite
speeches, and compliments, and toasts.
" For if you should" resumed the dead
shot, ''and nothing is more natural, as it is
rather stiff, admit; so was about to add,
that if you should, any of you, find it hard
to swallow, l happen to have the proofs in
my pocket in fact. have carried them
about me ever since"
proofs! What proofs" we all asked,
curiously.
"These, replied Symmcs, taking small
mahchte box from his pocket, and, opening
it, he dropped upon the table two fattened,
misshappen bullets. "These,' said he, care
the best possible proofs; we picked them up
almost exactly half way between Geyer and
myself on the memorable OCCASION
Of course doubt was inadmissible after
that so we finished the supper with a sort
of awkward gayety, and separated.
Symmes left Paris next day, and have
never met him since; but often recall those
queer eyes of his, and (being at presuma-
bly, safe distance) venture to ask myself if
their merry wrinkles, as he told that tale,
were not slightly suggestive, after all, Of A
SELL! What is your opinion, reader?
| / Al, Doli a.aI