Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-10-28

placing his toe to it, stepped out eight
times, yard to the step, marking also
the last step as base; four times a
mans length, or across your dining
room-that was the distance.
Each second now produced the pis-
tolls from a pair of cases-low-b -barreled
duelling weapons, of fine finish and
bright steel silver mounted. They were
charged and rammed in the old style,
and presented to each principal by the
was said, except by the seconds.
In like manner Elliott and Bainbridge
tossed for corners. Bainbridge won /;
it was Decatur's usual good luck.
Com. Decatur" said Bainbridge,
(Which stand do YOU select?
The axis of the two bases ran nearly
north and south, obliquely from the
brook. Decatur wolked to the north,
nearest the water, where he stood few
inches lower than Barron. Both threw
off their cloaks, and stood confronting
each other.
Gentlemen, said Bainbridges rails
ing his voice, 81 shall give the word as
follows: Present-one - two-three
You are neither at your peril to fire be-
fore the word one, nor after the word
three"
Com. Barron turned his head, his
pistol hanging at his side, and said to
Com. Bainbridge
"hove you any objection, sir. to pro-
nouncing the words in the manner you
intend to give them ?"
"NoAe," said Blinbridge and he re-
peated the formula precisely as he
afterward gave it.
For the first time the antagonists
looked into each others eyes. Stern
ness and the purpose to kill lay in both.
81 hope, SIR" said Barron, ''that
when we meet in another world we shall
be better friends than we have been in
this"
81 have never been your enemy, sir,
exclaimed Decatur.
Here cambridge walked behind
Decatur and took his place twelve or
fifteen feet to his left, Hambleton as
far on the right The same positions
were reversed by Elliott and Latimer.
Gentlemen, said Bainbridge, "make
ready"
The antagonists swung around side
wise, and looked at each other across
their right shoulders.
"Present-"
The two arms went up, and each took
sight.
"One-two-"
One report rang out. The last word
was deafened by it. There were two
puffs of smoke. and in an instant Barron
was down groaning.
Decatur Strengthened up for mo-
ment, pinched his lips, dropped his
pistol, and the color went out of his
face. He drew his right hand to his
side. He then fell to the ground speech
less
The seconds of both were beside them
in an instant. Decatur was moved by
his friends to higher ground, near by
Barron.
he opened his eyes directly, and said,
81 am mortally wounded, at least l be- |
lieve so /; and L wish had fallen in the
service of my country"
Barron looked up TO them all and
said:
Everything has been conducted in
the most honorable manner. 1 am
mortally wounded, Commodore Decatur,
l forgive you from the bottom of my |
heart"
Immediately down the pathway to
the Valley of Chance came many gentle
men, all friends of Decatur-Rogers
and Porter and Bolton, two doctors,
Bailey, Washington and Trevitt, Gen.
Harper, and other friends or idlers.
There were anxious looks and utter
ances of Tut tut u or Dear dear.
The doctors proceeded to loosen the
clothes of the sufferers and ascertain
the nature of their wounds. The little
green valley at the breakfast hour had
became a surgeons hospital. In It
we're represented nearly all the naval
victories in the republic-Tripoh and
Algiers. Lake Erie and both oceans
they held solemn congress In this un-
holy amphitheatre.
Barron was struck in the hip and
about the groin. Decatur had caught
the ball on his hip, and it had glanced
upward into the abdomen, severing the
large blood vessels there. The two
doctors exchanged glances there was
no hope for Decatur; his pulsation had
almost ceased.
Now began on the ground. as they
Law upon cloaks spread for them, that
wing interview of mingled tenderness
and recrimination which Writ has com.
pared to the last intercourse OF hamlet
and Laertes. Each striving to clear up
his fame. and prove that this crime was
q mistake or the work of officious
Barron, certain that his hours
we're numbered, wishes to be at peace
with his enemy that they might enter
the court of judgement friends. Decatur
was less relenting, but he consented 70
forgive Barron, though not his advisers
It was a sadder scene than nelson,
Decaturs admirer, dying in the COCK PIT
dnring the battle, or Bayard, to whom
he had been compared. bleeding on the
battle field.
The carriage came and they bore
Decatur to it, cambridge kissing ms
cheek. He had wrested Bainbridge
from the dungeon of the Moors. BAN
bridge in return, had measured the
ground for him 10 stain 1t Win lis
blood.
Rodgers took Decatur's head upon
his shoulders. the doctor, Trev1tf,