The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-10-23


blows, and he fastened away leaving
the faintins Ghika upon the ground.
He had been taken entirely unpre-
pared and W ; nor had he any
idea what could have freshly aroused
the luminosity of the man who had at
tackled him in so brutal Il tanner. 1t
was all a mystery.
His servants bore him TO his room,
where for hours he raised blood from
his throat and lungs nor could his
physician stop the exhausting flow until
the subsequent morning. After a ew
hours of quiet sleep the prince sent for
one Of his most attached friends. The
story was o told, and amid the cir
Gle in which he lived, and in accordance
with the code of honor in which he had
been educated, there was but one course
for him to pursue. No explanation was
asked for, and none would have been
given i'll any instance by the vindictive
aggressor.
81 must challenge him at once" said
the Prince to his friend, and therefore
Lhave sent for you, on whom l know /
can rely"
There is no other course open 10
you," replied his friend, though Sont-
ko is a noted duelist, and YOU mon
Prince, you are no master Of weapons"
True"
He viii have the choice, being the
challenged party" continued the anz-
ious friend.
"Of course"
And ii he chooses small swords you
have not the shadow of a chance"
Il know it,"
THEN l shall insist, first, last, and
all the while, upon pistols. That VIII
afford you some small chance for your
life"
"As you choose" said the young
Prince, who was quito weak from the
loss OF blood attendant upon the brutal
attack of Prince Sontko.
Would to heaven ! could fight this
duel for you," continued his friend.
You are not Iii to go ont, and yet l
dare not advise You othel wise"
Don't worry, my good friend"
Gay, but ! must worry l cannot
take it as calmly rs you do. ! burn IN
every vein to avenge your insult"
The seconds Of the two parties met,
and after the usual formula it was set
tied that pistols should Ice the weapons
and the distance twenty PAGES the
meeting 10 take place on the following
day. Prince Ghika passed the after
noon in arranging his affairs, for he was
well satisfied as TO the manner in which
the encounter with his experienced ad-
versary must terminate. He wrote q
long and tender letter to her whom he
dared not visit on the eve OF such event.
He forgot no Il at this trying moment,
writing TO his brothers at Bucharest,
and in his bestowals kindly remembered
his many and faithful friends.
AL finished at last, he retired to rest,
and slept peacefully as an infant until
his friend came TO awake him in the
morning.
You have slept well"
Without a dream"
Good ~ said his friend "vour
nerves will be steadier."
But he omitted to mention that he
had not been able himself to close his
eyes.
And you, my good friend? ?" asked
the Prince.
"Oh, I'm well enough" was the care
answer.
Bear me Witness" said the Prince,
. that have in no way provoked this
insult, this brutal attack. l shall
my life because l believe it to
ne nv duty, but yet | would not have
Sontko's blood upon my hands.
shall not aim at any vital part, remem-
DER that, for he Is actuated by some
mad freak. / know not what"
Let happen what may, no blame
'csts upon you,' said his friend.
a. tru.t not"
Wheel and fire instantly at the
it IS your only chance. You need
lave no qualms OF conscience with such
N antagonist '
Perhaps not" l