The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-06-07
An LmuEng DIAL

An old East Indian of1icer, In giving
some "reminiscences in Chambers' Jour
nal, tells this story: Tainton's regiment
was stationed at the Straits (Singapore,
Malaeca, and Penang), but he was Off
eiatng as brigade major while the real
incumbent was absent on furlougb at
the Cape. He was known to be an ex-
traordinary shot with gun, rife and
pellet bow. Nothing could ruffle him
outwardly, but / pity the man who in
suited him, for Taunton, with q smile,
would think no more of throwing him
Out Of a window than he would of kick
ing a eur down stairs. He was a lamb
in appearance, but a very lion in cour-
2 and strength. and neither drank.
gambled nor quarreled; but in those
dueling days even he could not at times
avoid the wager To battle" D., q
foo!ishly irate and somewhat tipsy nan
moreover only a late arrival, took UNI
BRACE at some remarks of a perfectly
i~nofiensive nature made by Tainton, and
the usual challenge followed. There is
a limit 10 the greatest forbearance, and
ms gallant friend was tired of being
made n target of, 20 consented to 60
out provided his terms were acceded
10; and these were that they were to be
placcd face 70 face at fifteen yards or
less. he TO be armed with his pellet-bow
alone. and his adversary TO load his own
weapon; and that from the moment the
word '.Loadr' was given. each party
was to be at liberty to do with his weap-
on what he chose. The seconds knew
rainton 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
arrived. Tainton's adversary strongly
protested against such a strange duel
but he was told he had ne choice; as
the right Of choosing weapons lay with
the challenged. SOD. more irate
than ever, went TO the place Of meeting.
vowing he would drill a hole through
his man for making such a fool of him.
The whole plain was crowded with spec
tators. The two stood face to face.
Tainton with his pockets full of harden
ed pellets and his bow: D. with an
ordinary pistol. The word 'Loadr' be-
ing given, D. lifted his powder flask.
when rap, rap. came two pellets on his
knuckles, and he dropped his pistol and
flask as II they had been red hot! The
bystanders screamed with laughter.
D. got more savage, and hastily
picking up the pistol and flask. tried 10
load; but o similar visitation as before
made him drop them again. whilst an
other 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 of the ground
foaming with rage. But q little reflec-
ton and a 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 n party was got up at mess, where
the two met and shook hands.
Tainton's skill with the Indian pellet
bow vas something marvellous. He
had been known, for n wager. with
five pellets to knock over three snipe:
and the Sepoys and native officers Of
his regiment not only loved him. but
believed him to be possessed Of super
natural powers. and were ever fond Of
relating the most improbable stories Of
him. and nothing wonld convince them
to the contrary. One story was. that
with a hard pellet he could drill a hole
in an ~earthen-ware waterproof, and with
q soft one fill il up againi