Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-03-06

stern voice: ''Rcady. Let the batteries b,
charged.'
The loading was done in the presence o
duly constituted witnesses. We conss!
ereu it best to perform this delicate ser
vice with a lantern. on account Of tht
state of the weather. We now placed o,ll
men.
At this point the police noticed that the
public had massed themselves together oa
the right and left of tie field: they there
fore heggo, a delay while they should put
these poor people in a place Of safety. The
request Was granted.
The police having ordered the two m,il-
titndes to take positions behind the duel
It's. we were once more ready. HE
weather growing still more Opaque. it was
agreed between myself and ;Ile other see
ond that before giving the fatal signal we
sllosld each deliver a loud whoop. to en-
able the combatants to ascertain each
Others whereabouts.
now returned to my principal. and was
distressed to obsery" that he had lost :.
good deal Of his spirit. | tried my best to
healten him. said: Indeed. sir, things
are not as bad rs they seem. Considering
the ci4"racte: of the weapons, the limited
number of shots allowed. the generous
distance. the i!npsnttrable solitlity of the
tog. and tie added i:.et that one of the COM
bataEis is one-eycu ana the other cross
eyed and neal-aigi,ted. It seems TO ne that
| this conflict need hot necessarily he fatal.
There are chances that both Of you may
survive. Therefore, cheer up do not be
/ tlGwn-lioartud.
Tits speech had so good an effect that
my principal immediately stretched forth
lis hand and said: Il ain myself again ::
! give ne the weapon
! ! llid it, ;lll alone aad fororn, in the CEN
ter Of the vast solitude of his palm. lie
gazed at it and si!uddeled And still
mournfuily contemplating it. lie m,lrlnur-
ed in a broken voice:
! ".tlas, ii is not ,iettl. dread, but mutil-
atom
| heartened him once more. and with
such success that lie presently said:
let TIE tragedy BERN. Stand at my
back. Do not desert me in this solemn
hour. any frienA.''
gave him my promise. uew assisted
him to point his pistol toward the spot
where judged lis adv ersary to be stand
ing. and cautioned him 10 listen Well and
further guide himself by my ftllow-sec-
ond's. whoop. Then | propped myself
| against NJ Gainl,asta-s back, :lnd raised
ronSiny ~ heop-ce." This Was answered
from out the far distances OF the fog. and
| nl.icliatriy shouted:
bne-tw0-tiiree-irer -
Two little sounds like sp:u spit! broke
upon my ear. and in the same instant was
crushed to the earth unier mountain of
lr>h. BIi'e! as WAS. was still able to
catch faint accent from above to this et-
feet:
Il lie tor for pert.itiCn
take it. what Is il die for? Oh,
yes. FRANCE! | die that France may
!iye.''
The surgeons swarmed around with
their probes in their hands, and applied
their microscopes to the whole area OF NJ.
Gambetta's person, with the happy resui, |
of finding nothing in the nature of a wound.
Then Il scene enStled which was in every
way gratifying and inspiliting.
The two gad;ators fell upon each others
necks, with Hoods OF proud and happy
tears; that other second embraced NE: the |
surgeons, the orators, the undertakers. the |
police. everybody congratulated, every
body cried, and the whole atmosphere !
was filed VITA praise and with Joy up-
speahable.
1t seemed to me then that wo,;ld rather
be the hero Ola French duel than crown
cd and scepterel monarch.
When the cOinmotion had somewhat |
the body Of surgeons held Il con-
sultation, and after a good deal of debate
decided that with proper care and nursing
there was reason to believe that | would
survive my injuries. My internal hurts
were deemed the most serious, since it was
apparent that a broken rib bad penetrated
my left lung. and that many of my organs
had been pressed out so tar to one side or
the ether of where they belonged. that it
was doubtful if they would ever learn to
perform their fuRctions in such remote and
localities. They then set
my left arm in two places, pulled my right
nip into its socket again. and re-elevated
NY nose. was an object of great interest.
md even admiration. and many sincere and
persons had themselves in
rodnced to ME, and said they were proud
o know the only man who had been hurt
n Il French duel tor forty years.
| was placed in an ambulance at the very
head OF the procession; ard thus with graft
wing eclat was marched into Paris. the
most conspicuous figure in that great spec
acle. and deposited at the hospital. |,
The cross of the Legion Of Henor has
,een conferred upon me. However, few ,
scaped that distinction. !;
Such is the true version of the most ,
private conflict of the age. Ny
ec,rery is still doubtful. but there are |
.opes. am able to dictate, but there is no i
moving when shall be able to write.
l have no complaints to make against
my one. l acted tor myself, and can
tand the consequences. Without boasting.
think may say am not afraid to stand Ii
'efore modern French Guelist. but will
lever consent to stand behind one again.
-S-.Ne-S-
A Bridgeport ,at was in the cellar one ,