Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-05-15

| without delay.
Garrison, with deliberation and
calmness peculiar to the man, replied
"Mr Turner, your own good sense
must tell you that this meeting is purely
accidental and although not impatient
fer the morning, yet l viii not disap-
point any wishes you may have fer q
present meeting"
Turner, still mere nettled at CARR
sons answer, replied in loud, angry
voice; Then follow me to the beach,
and we will settle the matter at once,
sir" and led the way toward the broad
sandy belt that stretched like a silver
band before them. Though thus going
forth to mortal combat, it never oc-
Cured to either that the other might
take advantage of his ungarded mo-
ments. So true is it that the truly
brave are devoid of suspicion as they arc
of treachery, and that they instinctiyely
| recognize in another the same heroic
attributes that animate themselves.
They were not alone in their march
however, for their angry words and
Turner's loud tones had attracted at
tention, and several acquaintance fol
lowed them aad endeavored to persuade
them from their deadly intentions, but
without avail, although they one and all
refused to act as seconds whelsappealed
to by the balligerents. On arriving st
the beach, it was found that Garrison
! had navy revolver and Turner q
derringer-the only weapons On. the
ground. It was agreed that they should
fight ct the end Of pocket. handker-
chief, or at three feet apart.
They preceded with great delibera-
ton to draw cuts for the choice Of Wea-
pons, and Turner won the navy and
Garrison the derringer.
They thus changed weapons. On
Turner's receiving the revolver, he
| quietly uncapped all the chambers ex-
cept one, and handed the caps to Gar
risen, who received shen, as matter Of
course, and put them i'll his pocket
without remark.
These brief arrangements were soon
completed, and, in spite Of the en-
treaties and remonstrances Ct friends,
they took their positions close up, face
to face, Garrison holding his derringer
down by his right thigh, ready to shoot
Turner through some vital part; and
Turner, strange and irregular as it may
sesm, held the Colts revolver up to his
shoulder, the muzzle being about level
with the top of his ear. AS it was an
impromptu thing, and no one present
would act as seconds, they agreed that
one, two, three should be slowly and
deliberately repeated togsther, and ct
word three they were to be at liberty to
fire OH one another.
The Commoeere asked: care you
ready, Mr. Turner!"
q am" replied Turner; q trust that
you are
~ am sir, said Garrison ''and we
will now proceed to give the word
One-two- three" The first words
were spoken slowly, and the latter
simultaneously, but quick and sharp,
and prompt with its utterance rise
Garrlson's arm to level with his OPP
ponents heart, while Turner'S descended
with vigorous jerk, full in Garrison's
face; then, instantly with these motions
came single loud report. Both men
recoiled as though wounded, or rather
staggered BY the few bystanders,
who had before this retreated to safe
distance on the right and left, it was
hard to say who fred the shot. Com
nodere Garrison was seen to put his
hand to his face, and Turner put his to
his side. On approaching, they found
the formers face bleeding, while the
latter's light su,nmer clothes were on
fire, on his side near the region Of his
vest pocket, which he was vain]y en-
deavoring to extinguish. Just as they
drew near, Garrison said: "Excuse me,
Mr.. Turner, but allow me to help you !
and at once proceeded to assist him in
putting out the fire.
It seems that when word "three" was
given, Turner was the least trife the
quicker, and brought the revolver down
with vigorous jerk, Intending to shoot
Garrison through the head But he
was SO close to him that the ,nuzzle OF
the pistol struck the Commodore on the
nose, just under the eye, inflicting
something Of 8 cash, the esp On his
pistol failing to explode. This quick
ness and unexpected blow In so sensitive
q place somewhat confused Garrison,
and probably disconcerted his aim and
saved Turner's life, as the derringer ex-
ploded, and, grazing one of his ribs
with a slight wound set fire by means
of its wad to his light linen clothing. A
proviaential thing, truly, for both.
AS soon as Turner'S garments were
extinguished, Garrison stepped back,
and wiping the blood from his pocket
took out a cap, and extending it, said
"Mr Turner you are entitled to your
,shot. Here is fresh cap; take it, sir
and proceed" = .~.
Turner gazing at him moment in
mutue surprise, as if he doubted the
evidence OF his sense. Then throwing
down his pistol and advancing step
he extended his hand and said;
"Commodore Garrison, this is all
wrong; you are too good and brave
man for me to murder Let us forget
this affair and be friends again. Sir,
if you require it I will apologize to you.
| All the nobler and better instincts Of
the Commodore's nature Were at once
aroused by those words.
Stretching out his hand he cordially
grasped Mr.. Turner's and exclaimed
with deep emotion, "Sir, ! am rejoiced
at the harmless termination OF this
| oAo;. and mora than that | fllllA