The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-12-11
An Amusing Duel.

An old East Indian officer, in giving
some "reminiscences in Chambers Jour-
nal, tells this story: Tainton's regiment
was stationed at the Straits (Singapore,
Malacca and Penang), but he was Off
ciating as brigade-major while the real
incumbent was absent on furlough at
the Cape. He was known to be an
extraordinary shot with gun, rifle and
pellet-bow. Nothing could ruffie him
outwardly, but | pity the man who
insulted him, for Taunton, with q smile,
would think no more of throwing him
out of window than he would of kick
ing a cur downstairs. He was lamb
in appearance, but very lion in strength
and courage, and neither drank, gam
bled nor quarreled; but in these duel
ing days even he could not at times
avoid the ''wager to battle" D., a
foolishly irate and somewhat tipsy man.
moreover only a late arrival, took UNI
bragg at some remarks OF perfectly in
offensive nature made by Tainton, and
the usual challenge followed. There is
q limit to the greatest forbearance, and
my gallant friend was tired of being
made a target OF, so consented to go out
provided his terms was acceded to; and
these were that they were to be placed
face to face at fifteen yards or less, he
to be armed with his pellet-bow alone,
and his adversary to load his own wea-
pom; and that. from the moment the
word ".Load!" was given, each party
was to be at liberty to do with his wea-
pom what he chose. The seconds knew
Taunton well, and they anticipated some
fun from the novel duel; SO, while con-
senting to the terms, they made them
known all over the station. The day ar
rived. Tainton's adversary strongly
protested against such strange duel;
but be was told he had no choice, as the
right of choosing weapons lay with the
challenged. So D., more irate than
ever. went to the place of meeting, VOW
ing he would drill a hole through his
man for making such fool OF him.
The whole plain was crowded with spec
tators. The two stood face to face
Taunton with his pockets full OF hard
ened pellets and his bow; D with
an ordinary pistol. The word "Loadp'
being given, D. lifted his powder
flask, when rap, rap, came two pellets
on his knuckles and he dropped his pis-
tol and flask as though they had been
red-hot! The bystanders screamed with
laughter. D. got more savage, and,
hastily picking up the pistol and flask,
tried to load; but similar visitation
made him drop them again, while
another rap, rap, made him turn his
back on his foe. The seconds now in
terfered and declared the duel at an end,
because the conditions lad been violated
by D., who was led off the ground
foaming with rage. But little refiec-
ton and little inquiry into the antece.
dents and character Of the antagonist
he had to deal with convinced him Of
the folly of quarreling with such man,
and a party was got up at mess, where
the two met and shook hands.
Tainton's skill with the Indian pellet
bow was something marvellous. He hai
been known, for wager, with five pei
| lets to kill five snipe; and the Sepoys
and native officers of his regiment no
only loved him, but believed him to b,
possessed of supernatural powers, ant
were ever fond OF relating the most i'm
probable stories of him, and nothin,
would convince them to the contrary
One story was, that with hard pelle
he could drill hole in an eartbenwar
waterproof, and with a soft one fill it u
again,