The National tribune., 1881-11-12
GEORGE JONES'S DUEL.
III.

The morning was fair as had been the preced-
ing night. The sun, rising as the moon went
down, lit the world from the same cloudless sky
The early breath of morn mingled with the
breezes from the sea- and there was that sweet
buoyancy in the air so welcome in the dawn of
summer day. All was calm and beautiful.
The duel was to take place at six. Jones, who
rose at an early hour, felt natures garb of beauty
almost mOckery. He was in a sullen, obstinate
mood, disinclined to see good in anything. Why,
he asked himself, should the day smile to see him
die? And failing an answer to that question, he
dashed his boots upon the floor, and sought for a
clean shirt to fight in.
1t was nearly halfpast five when Mr.. Lyme
came in to see if he was ready. That gentlemans
unruffled countenance and perfect ease was fresh
aggravation, and Jones felt inclined to tell him
that it was the duty of second to feel in exactly
the same state of mind as his principal
81 could not see you last night was in bed
before you came in, but, as we have no weapons,
/ have arranged with Calonbert that they shall
provide the swords"
"Let 'em. What do | care? Inever handled a
sword in all my life! But what does that matter.
so long as they are satisfed?"
Mr.. Lyme shrugged his shoulders.
"You had the choice of weapons. You chose
swords"
'Yes, for your sake, not mine. If it had been
pistols it would have been ten to one | should
have shot you instead of that numbering de Sle-
cal. mitraileuse was what wanted, so that
it could do for US all in a bunch"
Mr.. Lyme laughed. His experience in these
affairs was necessarily limited; he supposed it
was quite the proper thing for gentleman in
Mr.. Jones's position to fly into passion. So he
waited patiently while his friend finished his
toilet, raving at everything, from tooth brushes
TO bOot-iacks, from de Slecal to his own folly.
Finding the looking-glass reflected his fiery
countenance he struck it with the hair brush and
cracked it down the centre. Shortly after that
they started for the scene of action.
II was on the left of the town. beyond the
Establishment, among the hills. No particular
spot had been selected. but it had been arranged
TO meet outside the town. and then proceed to-
gether till a spot was found. They found their
antagonist waiting their arrival; three-de Sic
cal his second General CalOnbert, and doctor
On their meeting every body raised his hat and
bowed to everybody-all formal and correct
De Slecal seemed, if possible, sitter than ever
though he could not bend his back to save his
life. General Calonbert was fire eater of diff
ferent type. He had won fame in the Franco
Prussian war; and if report spoke truly, had done
wonders in leading on his men-trom the rear. |
He appeared to treat the whole thing as a splen-
did joke, and this view was shared by his friend
the doctor, stout, jolly, red-faced gentleman,
who clapped Jones on the back, assuring him !
= l. A.
fought since he had been in the town Where
upon Jones stopped short, and asked if he meant
TO insinuate that there had been no idiots there
before he came.
| think" remarked CalOnbert. as they reached !
part where the ground slOped to a little dale |
tolerably level, hidden from the surrounding
country by the higher lands "that, subject to
Monsieur Lynes approval this will suit our pur- !
pose"
Mr.. Lyme agreed. His cue was to agree to any, |
thing within bounds, he having as much idea of |
how duel ought to be conducted as he had of !
fighting one himself. He only knew that he had !
10 place his man in front of the other man. put |
sword in his hand, and tell him to fight like |
blazeS After which, he opined his duty would /
lee to look on. and see who stuck the other
We will place them" observed Calonbert-
while the doctor rubbed his hands and grinned- .
sideways to the sun; that will give each his fair
share OF light"
Perceiving that Monsieur de Slecal took Off his .
coat and wastcoat and turned up his shirt sleeves,
Lyme suggested that Jones should do something /.
of the kind. But Jones told him that he would .
see him shot, and that he should fight as he saw
proper. On Calonbert insinuating that the object
of this partial disrohement was not only to give
free action to the limbs, but also to show that no
unfair defense was concealed beneath, Jones tore