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

You observe said the gunner, taking
piece OF chalk out of his pocket, an
msking 4 triangle on the table, .in thi
figure We have three points. each equi
distant from each other; aud we hav
three combafants-so that placing one q
each point. il is all fair play for the three
Mr.. Easy. for instance. stands here, th,
boatswain here. and the purser's stew
ard al the third corner. Now, If th,
distance 10 fairly measured. il viii be al
right
.Bu. then replied Gasecisne. de-
lighted 4. the idea. how are they to Gre
1t certainly is not Of much consequence,
replied the gunner. but still. as sailors
it appears ~ me that they should Gre with
the sup; tha, Is. Mr. Easy fres a, Mr.
Biggs. Mr Biggs fres at Mr.. Easshapp,
aad DIR. Essthupp frcsx NJ Esssy. "a
that you perceive that each party has his
shot at ore. and at the same time receives
the fire of another
Gascoigne was in ecsiasies at the nov
city Of the proceeding. the more so as he
perceived that Easy obtained every advan-
taEe py tue arrangement.
Upon my word, Mr.. Tal,boys. l give
you great credit; you have a profound
mathematical head. and | am delighted
with your arrangement. OF course. in
the affairs. the principals are bound to
comply with the arrangements of the Sec
onds. and | shall insist upon Mr.. Easy
couseu'ing to your excellent and scientific
proposal
Gascoigne 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 it to the
boatswain. who did not very well COM
prchend, but replied
Il dare say it's oil right-shot for shot,
and hang all favors.'
The parties then repaired to the spot
with two pairs of ships pistols. which Mr..
Tallboys had smnggled on shore; and, +,
as soon as they were on the ground. the
gunner called Mr.. Easthupp out of the
cooperage. In the meantime. Gascoigne
had been measuring an tquila:eral trian-
gle of twelve paces-and marked it out.
Mr.. Tallboys. on his return with the pur-
ser's steward. went over the ground. and
finding that it was equal angles sub,en-
dcd by equal Sides declared that it was
all right. Easy took his station. the
boa;swain was put into his, aud Mr..
Easihupp, who was quite in a mystery.
was led by the gunner to the third posi-
tion.
But. Mr.. Tallboys.' said the purser's s
steward. Il don't understand this. Mr..
Easy will frs. fight Mr.. Biggs. will he
not?' .
No. replied the gunner. .this is a
duel of three. You will fire at Mr.. Easy,
Mr.. Easy will FIRE at Mr.. Biggs. and Mr.
Biggs will fire at you. 1t is all arranged,
Mr.. Eas,hupp.'
But said Mr. Easthupp. .'I do not
understand it. Why is Mr. Biggs to
FIRE at me! have no quarrel with Mr..
Biggs.'
Because Mr.. Eeasy fires a. Mr Biggs,
and Mr.. B;ggs must have his shot as
well
If you ever have been in the company
OF gentlemen. Mr.. Easthupp,' observed
Gascoiene. 'you must know something
about ducling
Yes. yes. I've kept the best company,
Mr.. Gascoigne. and can give gentle
man satisfaction; but
Then. sir. if tha, is the case. you must
know that your honor is in the hands
of your second. and that no gentleman ap-
peals
Yes. YES. I know that Mr. Gascnigae;
but still I've no quarrel with Mr.. Biggs.
and therefore, Mr.. Biggs. of course you
will not aim at me
Why, you don't think that I'm going
to be fired at for nothing replied the
boatswain; no. no. I'll have my shot any.
how
But at your friend. Mr. BiggsT
All the same. | shall FIRE at some
body; shot for shot. and hit the luckiest.
Vel. gentlemen. | purtest agains,
these proceedings replied Mr. Easihupp;
Il came here to have satisfaction from
Mr.. Easy. and not to be fred at BY
Biggs.'
Don't you have satisfaction when you
FIRE at Mr.. Easy replied the gunner
what more would you havcT
i rurtes. agaius, Mr.. Biggs firing a
me-
so you would have a shot without
receiving one.' cried Gascoigne; the fac
is. that this fellows coufouuded coward
and ought to be kicked into the cooper.
age again
AT this affront Mr.. Essthupp rallied
and accepted the pistol offered BY the gun
ner.
You ear those words. Mr.. Biggs
pretty language to use to gentleman
You shalt ear from me. sir. as soon n
the ship is paiG OF. Ipurtes, no longer
Mr.. Tallboys; death before dishonor.-
I'm gentleman
At al events. the sxell vas not a yer,
courageous gentleman, Cor he trsuble,
most exceedingly as he pointed his pis
tol.
The gunner gave the word, as If h
we're exercising the great guus on boar,
ship.
Cock your ocksr-.Take. good aiu
At the okjeet Fire !'-.Stcp you
ventsr
The only one Of the ccmhatanss who an
peared to comply with the latter supple
mentary order was Mr.. Eas,hupp. xh
clappcd his band to his trousers behind
gave loud yeil, and then dropped down