The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-12-28
Extraordinary Duel.

., Extraordinary Duel. ,-
Mr.. Thomas Sheridan, in his life of Dean
Swift has recorded an account of very sin
guar character, who lived in the county o1
Tipperary. The name of this gentleman was
Mathew, and after q long residence abroad,
he returned to Dublin in the latter end Of
Queen Anne's reign. At that time party
spirit ran high, but ragged nowhere with such
violence as in that city, in so much that daels
were every day fought on that score ~.
There happened to be at that time two
gentlemen in London who valued themselves
highly on their skill in fencing; the name of
one of them was Pack and the other Greed;
the former major and the other captain
in the army. Es" -.
Hearing of these daily exploits in Dublin
they resolved like two knights-crrant to 90
over in quest of adventures. Upon inquiry
they learned that Mr.. Mathew had the rep.
utation of being one of the first swordsmen
in Europe.
Pack rejoiced to And an antagonist W.;
thy of him, and meeting him as ho was cur
ried along the street in lis schair, jos,l,d he
fore chairman. Ofthis Mathew took no no.
III, t;-s sappasing il be aeeideatal but Back
afterwards boasted OF il in a public coffee
house. saying that he had purposcly offered
the insult to that gentleman, wao had not
the spirit to resent it.
There hann""..c,1. 20 be present particular
friend Of Mr.. Mathew named Niacnamara, q
man Of good courage, and reputed tho Lost
fcncer in Ireland. Ha Immediately took. up
the quarre! and ho was spFo NF: s!ataaw d:d
not sur,oss tho aiFront intended, otherwise
10 would Layo chastiscd him on the spot;
but if thc ma ior woald lei him knog where
he was to he found, he should be waited on
Immediately on his friends return, who was
to dine that day LITTLE way oEt from the
city.
The major said that he should be at the
tavern over the way, where he and his com-
panion would await their commands.
immediately on his arrival Mathew on be-
ing made acquainted with what had passed,
went from the cofse-house to the tavern ac-
companicd by Maenamara. Being shoEn
into the room where tho two gentlemen were,
after securing the door, without any expos
tulaton, Mathew and Pack drew their
swords, but Mcnamara stopped them. saying
he had something to propose before they pro-
cecdcd to action: lie said, lin cases of this
nature he could meyer bear to be cool
spectator. -
"Sir," addressing himself to: Greco, eff
Won please 1 shall layl the honor OF enter
tanning you in the same manner -.
Greed who desired no better sport made
no other reply than that Of instantly draw
ing his sword, and to work the four cham
pions fell with the samo composuro as if il
were only a fencing match with foils.
The conflict was of some duration and
maintained with great obstinacy by the Off
GERS Notwithstanding the great cffusion Of
blood from the wounds which they had sus-
taincd. At length they both iall' apd yield
ed the victory to the suporior skill of th''lr
antagonists. .r[
u pon this occasion Mathew gave a ramar7
kabld nroof of the compospre Of his mind da-
ring the action. Greed mad fallen first upon
which Pack exclaimed: "Ah poor Greed,
are YOU gomez" 'sYes," said Mathew COM
posedly, aand you shall instantly pack after
him." at the SANG time making ahomc thrust
quito through his body, which threw him to
the ground. This was the more remarkable
as he was never in his life, either before or
after, known to have aimed at anything like
a pun. ....... .. .. ..-.
| The number of wounds received by the
vanquished party was very great, and what
seems almost miraculous, thiir oppopants
were untouched.
The surgeons sooing the desperate condI-
ton of their patients would not suffer them
to be removed out Of the room where they
fought, but had beds Immediately conveyed
into it on which they lay many hours in q
state of insensibility. When they came tc
themselves and saw where they were, Pack:
in feeble voice said to his companion:
"Crced, think We are the conqucrors fol
We have kept the field of battle"
For long time they were despaired O
but to the astonishment Of every one, they
both recovered When they were able t.
SEQ company Mathew and his friend attend
ed them daily, and a close intimacy after
wards enspcd as they found them ofprobity
and of the best dispositions, except in thi
Ouixotic idea of dueling. whereof they were
now perfectly cured.