Middletown transcript., 1873-12-13

place behind the soopsrags at esftaie
hour. On which Mr.. Easshupp night clip
ost. and borrow portion Of the time ap-
rropristcd to his duty, 70 heal the breach
in his wounded honor. So the parties oil
went on shore. and put up at one Of tho
small inns. to make the necessary arrange
ments.
Mr.. Tallboys then addressed Mr.. Gas
esigne. takisg him apart while tho boat
swain amused himself with glass Of grog.
and our hero sat outside. teasiug . mon
key"
"Mr. Gascoigne," said the gunser. II
have been very much puzzled how this
duel should be fought, bu. have At last
found !. out. You SEQ that there are three
parties to 6gbt; had there been two or
four there would have bees no difficulty.
as the right line or square might guide US
in that instsnce but We must arrange il
upon the triangle in this !"
Gascoigns stared he could not imagine
what was coming.
'.Are you aware, Mr.. Gascoigne. Of
the properties Of an cquilateral triangle 2
YES" replied the midsbipman. "tha.
il has three sidcs-but what has that to
do with the duel ?"
Everything. Mr.. Gascoigsc," replied
tho gunner iii has resolved the great
difficulty: indeed. the duel between three
can only be fought upon that principle
You observe said the gunner. taking q
piece Of chalk out Of his pocket, aud max
ing a triangle on the table, ''in this figure
we have threo points. each cquidis,ant
from each other and we have three COM
batants--so that placing one at each point,
i. is all fair play for the three; Mr.. Easy.
for instance. stands here, the boatswain
hero, and the purscr's steward at the
third corner. Now. IL the distance 10
fairly measured. il will be all right"
Bat then" replied Gascoignc. delight
ed at the idea. ''how ara they to fire 7"
II, ccr,ainlyis not Of much consequence.
replied tho gunner, but still. as sailors, i,
appears to me that they should FIRE with tho
sun that is, Mr.. Easy fires at Mr.. Biggs,
Mr.. Biggs 6res a, Mr.. Easthupp. and Mr..
Easthupp lires at Mr.. Easy, SO that you
perceive that each party has his shot at
ono. and at tho same time receives the ire
Of another"
Gascoigno was in ccs,asies at the nov
city Of tho proceeding. the more so as he
perceivcd that Easy obtained crcr ad-
vantage by the arrangement.
Upon my word, Mr.. Tallboys. I give
you great credit; you have profound
mathematical head. and | am delighted
with your arrangement. OF course, in
these affairs, tho principals are bound to
comply with the arrangements Of the
seconds. aud | shall insi., upon Mr.. Easy
conssn.ing to your excellent aud scientific
proposal"
Gascoigns went out, and pulling Jack
away from the monkey, told him what the
gunner had proposed. at which Jack
laughed heartily.
The gunner also explained II TO the
boasswnin. who did not very we'll comprc-
hend, but replied.
II dare say it's oil right--shot for shot,
aud hang all farors."
The parties then repaired to the .po,
with two pairs Of ships pistols. which Mr.
Tallboys had ugglod gu shore; and, as
sooa as they were on tho grousd. the gun.
usr called Mr. Eas.hupp out Of the cooper.
age. In the meantime. Gascoigus had
been measuring au equilatsral triangle Of
twelve paces-and marked II out. Mr..
Tallbeys. ON his return with the purser' .
steward, went over the ground. aud find
Ing that !, Was "equal angles sub.endsd BY
equal sides." declared .hst il Was oil
right. Easy took his station. the boat.
swain was put into bis. aud Mr.. Easshupp.
who wa quito in . mystery, Was led BY
the gunner to the third position.
"But, Mr.. Tallboys." said the purser',
steward, II don't understand this. Mr..
Easy viii frst 6sLs Mr.. Biggs. will b.
not 7"
NO." replied the guaner. ...his 10 I
duel ef three. yen will Gro at Mr.. Easy,
Mr.. Rasy will are II Mr.. Biggs. and Mr..
Biggs will Gre Il Jon. Il i al arranged
Mr.. Easthupp."
"Bst." said Mr., Easthupp, II DO 70,
understand il. Why 10 Mr.. Bises to aes
. nsi I hare no quarrel with Mr..
blees."
.:1saees NJ. Essy sfss Il n. Bisss.
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49, & Il il s. Il y r.
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