The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-02-14
THE GAMBETTA DUEL.
How Mark Twain Distinguished Himself as the

Mark Twain writes for the February
number OF the AttuHtic NoaMy an account
of his participation in the recent duel be-
tween Gambctta aud Fourtou. When he
had heard of the outbreak in the Assembly,
he says that he called on Gambctta, whom
he found "stccped in profound French
calm" Mr.. Twain, after being embraced,
began the conversation
| said | supposed he would wish me to
acc as his second and he said, COZ course
l said | must be allowed TO act under a
French name, SO that night be shielded
from obloquy in my country in case Of ia
tai results. He wiuccd here, probably at
the suggestion that duclnG was not re-
gardcd with respect in America. However,
he agreed to my requirement. This ac-
counts for the fact that in all the newspaper
reports Nj. Gambctta's second was appar-
emily French man. First, VIC drew up
my principals will insisted upon this
and stuck to my point. | said had never
heard of man in his right mind going out
to fight duel without first making his will
lie said he had never heard Of man in
his right mind doing any thing Of the kind
When we had finished the will, he
wished to proceed to a choice of his ''last
words" He wanted to know how the
following words, as 4 dying exclamation,
struck me:
81 die for my God, for my country for
freedom Of speech, for progress and the
universal brotherhood Of man -
l objected that this would require too
lingering death it was good speech for
consumptive, but not suited to the exi-
gcncics of the field Of honor. We wran-
gled over good many antc-mortem out
obituary down to this, which he had copied
into his memorandum book, purposing to get
it by heart:
81 die that France may live"
said that this remark seemed to lack
relevancy; but he said relevancy was mat
ter Of no consequence in last words-what
you wanted was thrill.
[ then wrote the following note and
carried it to Nj. Foartous friend:
SIR; Mr.. Gambctta accepts NJ. Fourtou's
challenge, and authorizes me to propose
Plcssis- Piquct as the place of meeting, to-
morrow morning at daybrcak as the time;
and axes as the weapons. am, sir, with
great respect, MARK TWAIN.
Nj. Fourtou's friend read this note and
shudlcrcd. Then he turned to me and
said, with suggestion Of severity in his
tone
"Iave you considered, sir, what would
be the inevitable result of such a meeting
as this?"
"Wcll, for instance, what would it be p
"Bloodshcd ~
CHATS about the size of it," [ said
"Now, if it is fair question, what was
your side proposing to shed p
had him there he saw he had made
blundcr, so he FASTENED to explain it away.
lie said he had spoken jcstingy. Then
he added that he and his principal would
enjoy axes, and indeed prefer them, but
such weapons were barred by the French
code, and so l must change my proposal
After proposing Gatling guns, rifles, navy
pistols and brck-b bats, Mr.. Twain left the
choice Of weapons to the other second, who
fishcd out of his vest pocket couple Of
little things, which | carried to the light
and discovered to be pistols. They were
single. barrcllcd and silver mounted, and
very dainty and pretty. [ was not able to
speak for emotion. | silently hung one Of
them on my watch. chain, and returned the
other. My companion in crime now un-
rolled postage stamp containing several
cartridges and gave me one Of them. |
asked if he meant to signify by this that
our men were to be allowed but one shot
apiece. lie replied that the French code
permitted no more. then begged him to
go on and suggest a distance, for my mind
was growing weak and confused under the
strain which had been put upon it. lie
named sixty.livc yards. | nearly lost my
patience. [ said:
Sixty five yards with these instruments?
Pop. gans would be dcadlicr at fifty. Con
slider, my friend, you and arc banded to-
gcther to destroy life, not make it eternal"
But with all my pcrsuasions, all my
arguments, was only able to get him to
reduce the distance to thirty-livc yards
and even this concession he made with
reluctance, and said with Il sigh:
II wash my hands Of this slaughter; OH
your head be it."
There was nothing for ne but to go home
to my own lionhcart and tell my humilia-
ting story. When | entered VI. Gambctta
was laying his last lock Of hair upon the
altar. lie sprang towards me, cXclaim-
ing;
"Thc weapon, the weapon, Quick what
&c thc wnaDon I'