The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-05-08
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Major Buford, called. by way of emf
dasiist q tie dssSy. L dssd shSs, Ss's :
perfect master Of 2, feAces7 and, in his
name, had Become "a terror 20 lsll who
knew him.
In the midst of q knot of Admitting
friends one day. the Major was DISCUSS
ing his last .s.affpir, and complacently
explaining how IT, cS7h6that he mortally
wounded his adversary. instead of Killing
him on the spotswheIonap two gentle-
men, atanding,Withiu, hearing, suddenly
advanced and struck him in che face.
The. spectators stood aghast. What
could have tempted the Atranger to rush
thus'madIy f% Hie5atep He Wis an old
mnn. Already, I'd appearances, had
thxee score and ten years passed over. his
head. 81 He: must, indeed, have been
weary OF life! whose brief remnant he
was ready to- Cast Haway go. reckiHssly.
The Major was astopMhed; The very
audaoity OF the act cstrucio, him with
ama1enert. ..sr )I-f l,a=ii = eial.o
zig the 'piovocation sufficient. or
must I repeat it2y inquired his assailant.
The Maior's first impulse was to se-
turn blow for blow But fierce and
violent as Eets his passions, he, bad
schooled himself to compIets mastery
over them, and q moments reflection
told him how bootless, under the cir
cumstanoas, would be O. pnbIio brawl.
The indignity he had received would
admit of but one reparation, and that
he determined to lose no time in seek
inga
1.-THE insult is sufficient" he answered
with forced calmness. ,."Ohiige me by
naming q friend-for Yonr own name T
care MOTTO whom may refer one of
my own"
"This gentleman, u! tteplied the other,
resuming the arm Of his companion,
twill return here in an hour to confer
with any one You may designate" 2
And the two strangers took their iea7o
together. At sun-rise on the-Gfollowing
morning, the principals and their
seconds made their appearance on the
ground selected; no one else was pre-.
sent, not even surgeon. The DIsjor, in
his own past experience, never had need
ed one; and his opponent, it was plain,
was careless of the consequences. There
was no necessity for delay. The preli-
minaries had been settled. The parties
were to fight with pistols, at ten PAGES,
the combat to continue until one or the
other had fallen. Ono condition had
been insisted OH by the stranger, which
called an indignant blush to tho Maior's
cheek, as it seemed to imply an imputa-
tion upon his honor, though he submit
ted to it with the best grace he could. It
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 emen placed.
There was marked contrast between
the two in more respects than that of
years. The old man, erect and motion
less as statue, his whitened looks float.
ing in the breeze. never once looked at
his antagonist, though his side was
turned. His face was stern and de.
i. The Major, So1 ths other other 'i hand. a.
glared fiefeely on his foe. seeming even
to grudge him The few moments Of life
yet sksa osss ..olAA;;sss 70 hint .a1 alo1l
"Were he my father. ] would kill
him!'' he answered. andib.y tosone whis-
pered approximations Of his second, Who
was evidently touched !by the old mans
nerableAppearaicao TC.I
The pistols were 'put ia the hands 81
the principals. and tho giving lSS The
word explained. nc, ~,
'tGentlemep, are yop ready?"
"ReadY, both answered.
Still tho old Daan pnpvsd not, nor did
he direct . sipgle glance at his adver-
EafJ. 1. Hid syaSNara Axed; I'D front, His
attitude .vas one. VI fept astantion. He
seemed like one, listening intently.
''Firel"
Without changing tha direction Of his
gaze, oriothes noysfn6ns than that OF
mis- arm, which rose Hith the precision
OF q nicely adjusted machine, the old
man brought his pistol to the level OF
his enemy's breast For an instant he
held it there. Still the same appearance
Of eager listening The Major was in
no hurry. He could afford to take his
time with man who held his pistol at
random without looking; whitherward.
He took deliberate aim. He was deter
mined to make sure work. II his ball
missed his adversary's heart even frac.