Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-11-06
An Amusing DueI.

vi ting some "reminiscences il
Cham "ers' Journal, tells this sto
nv: Tail. tons regiment was sta
toned at the Straits singapore
Malacca and Penaug); but he was
officiating brigade major while
the real incumbent was absent on
furlough at the Cap. He was
known to be an extraordinary
shot with gun rifle and pellet-bow.
Nothing would ruffle him out
wardIy; but | pity the man VIII
willfully insul ed him, for Tain
ton with smile would think no
more Of throwing him out Of the
window than he would of kicking
a cui down stairs. He was a lamb
i'm appearance but a very lion in
strength and courage, and neither
drank, gambled or quarreled; but
in those dueling days even he
could not at times avoid the 'wag-
er to battle D, q iooiisniy lrate
and somewhat tipsy man, more
over only late arrival, took UNI
bragg at some remarks of a per-
fectly inoffensive nature, made by
Tainton, and the usua, challenge
followed, There is limit to the
greatest forbearanee, and my gal
liant friend was tired Of being
made a target of; so consented to
go out provided his terms were &C.
coded to; and these were, that each
were to be placed face to face at
fifteen yards or less, he TO be arm
ed with his pelet-bow alone, and
his adversary TO load his own
weapon and that from the mo-
ment the word 'Loadn was given,
each party was to be at liberty TO
do with his own weapon what he
choose. The seconds knew Tain
ton well, and they anticipated
some fun from The novel duel so,
while consenting to the terms,
they made them known all over
the station. The day arrived
Tainton's adversary strongly pro-
tested against such strange duel;
but he 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. vowing he would
drill hole through his man for
making such fool of him. The
whole plain was crowded with
spectators. The two stood face to
face, Taunton with his pockets full
of hardened pellets and his bow
D. with an ordinary pistol
The word Loadn was given, d
- lifted his powder flask, when
rap, rap, came two pellets on his
knuckles, and he dropped his pis-
toll and flask as if they had been
red hot! The bystanders scream
ed with laughter. D. got more
savage, and hastily picked up the
pistol and flask and tried 20 load;
but similar visitation as before
made him drop them again, whilst
another rap, rap, made him turn his
back on his foe. The seconds now
interfered, and declared the duel
at an end, because the conditions
had been violated by D., who
was led off the ground foaming
with rage. But little reflection
and a little inquiry into the ante
cedents and character of the anita
gonist he had to deal with con-
WINGED him of the folly of quarrel
ing with such man, and party
was got up at mess, where the two
met and shook hands.
Tainton's skill with the Indian
pellet-bow was something marvel
Gus. He had been known, for a
wager, with five pellets to knock
over three snipe f.; and the Sepoys
and native officers of his regiment
not only loved him, but believed
him to be possessed of supernatu-
raj powers, and were ever fond of
relating the most improbable sto-
ries about him; and nothing
would convince them to the con-
trary. One story was, that with
hard pellet he could drill a hole
in an earthenware waterproof, and
with a soft one fill it up again.
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6lannsS Graat Mhaat Farm