Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1873-12-18
JACK EASY'S TRIANGULAR DUEL

Midshipmap Easy, whose story is told
by Captain Marya.t. was n genius in his
wa. His triangular duel has been told
many times, and will be read over and
laughed over for years to come. Jack
Easy made friends with almost everybody
on board the ship. but Mr. Eeasthupp.
the boa'swain. and Mr.. Biggs. the pur-
ser's clerk. were exceptions. Jack Easy
offended both these worthless. aud as in
those days it was the fashion to settle such
difficulties on the field Of HONOR there
was nothing left but a duel. The boat.
swain waived his rank as a superior off
Ger ia Jack. with the understanding that
Jack should waive rank with the deputy
purscr. Bu, to the story Of the duel:
Mr. Biggs.' replied our hero,' who
was now very wroth. i shall 90 on shore
directly We arrive at Malta. Let you
and this fellow pat on plain clothes. and
| will meet you both-and then I'll show
you whether am afraid to give sa,isiac-
ton
One at a time said the boatswain.
No, sir. not one alta time. but both at
the same timc-I will fight both or none.
If you are my superior oficcr. you must
dcscend.' replied Jack. with an ironical
sncer. to meet me. or | will not descend
to meet that fellow. whom l believe to
have been little better than pickpocke.. ,
This accidental hit Of Jacks made the
purscr's steward turn pale as a sheet.
and then equally red. He raved aud
fnamcd amazingly, although he could
not mcc; jacks indignant look. who ,heu
turned round again.
Now. Mr.. Biggs, is this to be under
stood. or do you shelter yourself under
your forecoale?' p
I'm no dodger,' replied the boat
swain. and we will settle the affair at
Malta
Mr.. Biggs having declared that he
would fght, of course had to look out for
a second. aud he fixed upon Mr.. Tall
boys. the gunner. and requested him to
be his friend. MIR. Tallboys. who had
been lately very much annoyed BY Jack
Ensys victories over him in the science
Of navigation. and therefore felt ill-will
much puzzled how to arrange that three
were to fight at the same time. for he had
no idea of there being two duels: so he
went 10 his cabin and commenced read
ing. There was no one in the ship to
whom Jack could coutidc but his com.
radc in all his scrapes. Gascoigue: he
therefore went 10 him. and although Gas.
coigne thought it was excessively mira
dig. of Jack to meet even the boatswain.
As the challenge had been given there
was no rctrae,ing; he therefore consented,
IL, all midshipmen. anticipating fun,
and quite though,less Of the Consequences
The second day after they had been
anchored in Vallet,e harbor, the boat
swain aud gunner, Jack and Gasccigne.
obtained permission to 60 on shore. Mr..
Easthupp.. the purser's steward. dressed
in his best blue coat with brass buttons
and velvet collar. went up on the quarter
deck. and requested the same indulgence.
but Mr.. Sawbridge refused, as he required
him to return slaves and hoops at the
coopcrage.
This was awkward. but it was 60. over
BY proposing that the meeting should
take place behind the cooperagc at GER
tain hour. on which Mr.. Easthupp nigh,
slip out, and borrow portion Of the tune
appropriated to his duty. to heal the breach
in his wouuded honor. So the parties
all went on shore. and put up at one o
the small inns, to make the necessary
arrangements.
MIR. Tallboys then addressed Mr.. Gas
coignc. taking him apart while the boat.
swain amused himself with glass Of grog
and our hers sat outside. teasing monkey
MIR. Gascoigne.' said the gunner. Il
have been very much puzzled how ,h;
duel should be fought. but have ut las
fonad j, oas. You see that there are thre,
/ parties to fight; had there been two o
lour there would have been no difficulty
as the right line or square nigh, guid,
"a in that instance; bat we must arrang,
il uron the trssnsle in this.s
Gaseoigue stared; he could not imag
inc what was coming.
Are you aware. Mr.. Gaseoignc. Of III,
properties Of an sqailateral trianglel'
Yes replied the midshipmen. .tha
j, has three equal sides--bat what ha
that to do with the duel 7
). Everything. Mr.. Gaseoigue.' replie,
. the gunner; III has resolved the gres
difficulty; indeed. the duel between tire
tan only be fought upon that priOcirls