Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-01-14


requested Oscar to visit her after he had
started on his journey to Canada, and to
tell her that he had suddenly been called
away, and had, SO to speak, left her in
charge of his dearest friend during his
| absence.
I'm prepared for death. smilingly add
ed the doctor 50 that is to say, I've made
my will, and arranged all my worldly
affairs. Ii anything should happen. I've
provided for Christina, and you must
look after her until she is at least in
some Independent position. don't
/ forbode If l were of a sanguine tempera-
ment, should expect to be killed-but it is
well to be prepared for whatever may occur.
As soon as the fusllade is over l will
telegraph you-provided 1 am in condi-
ton to do so-the result, and my future
movements. I'm more concerned about
Christina than aught else. I've so be-
sought her to depend through thick and
thin on my friendship that, ii 1 should
neglect her in any manner, she would have
reason to distruss all mankind. l hate to
run away from her SO suddenly; but it
can't be helped"
Goodwin begged Archer to allow him,
after seeing the girl, to accompany him to
Canada; but the doctor was memorable,
and SO they parted the elder with jest
and ringing laugh Don't be downcast,
Oscar, this may be foolish undertaking
but shall not need your service as an IN
dertaker. Remember Christina"
Everything was arranged for the meet
ing, the second morning thereafter. in Can
ada, not far from Niagara. The same
evening they left the city, by the Hudson
River read, so quietly, so much like ordi-
nary travellers, that their purpose was
never suspected. The Rensselaerites, many
of them, had believed duel would be
fought; but the quidnunc already men
toned had done much to discredit the be-
lief by repeating the wholly distorted
words of DIR. Archer. The dueling party,
vigorously restricted to principals, seconds
and surgeons-even Frederic Comstock had
been left behind, with the most solemn
Injunction of secrecy-reached Niagara in
the morning, having stayed over night in
Buffalo, and decided that the meeting
should take place as early as practicable
the next morning.
Having put up at the Clifton House,
they took carriages thence, after midnight,
with the ostensible purpose of driving to
st. GATHERINGS, which they wished to
reach, they alleged, on account of special
business engagement, before the morning
train could arrive there. The night was
cold and clear, with moon nearly full
They drove in the direction of the village
of Thorold, in Ontario, and between 5 and
o'clock came upon a very lonely neigh
borhood, which the seconds thought secure
against interruption. A patch of fir and
spruce trees would hide the combatants, as
well as the preparations should any strag
gler happen in that direction.
The six men, Archer and Rivers, Roy
den and Captain Barwick, with the two
surgeons, alighted, and the two coachmen,
who had been handsomely paid for the
practice of discretion, drove their carri-
ages into clump of frs and awaited
further orders.
Royden looked rather pale-he usually
had plenty of color, partly due to free liv-
ing-though there was no denotement OF
fear in his face or bearing His cold, blue
gray eye shone with unusual luster-the
luster of wrath-and when it fell upon
Archer it almost seemed to emit sparks
The expression of his countenance was of
deadly intent he hated his adversary with
all the intense hatred of narrow, con-
ceited, selfish nature that had been grossly
Inundated.
II he had been armed the night OF the
collision at the club, he would have shot
the doctor, and he had signi6ed his regret
that he had left at home the revolver which
he often carried. Otherwise he should, as
he put it, have made an end of the ruffian
who had taken up ballet girls quarrel.
Having been reminded by one of his asso-
ciates that the use of the revolver under
such circumstances was American, Roy
den apologized to himself in way, and
admitted that he was glad he had no
weapon. He was always mortified if he
was suspected of anything American.
He had made up his mind to kill the
doctor for publicly disgracing him, and he
! felt sure that he could, as he was confident
of his own skill, and ignorant of Archer's.
/ Whatever the outcome, he plumed himself
! on the course he had pursued. He had no
idea that he should be hurt and if he
should, it would be, as he conceived, a
most honorable wound, becauseit would
add to his social reputation in a city where
affairs of honor were very rare.
II he should kill his antagonist he would
enjoy the fame of such an achievement i'm
measurably; he would be pointed out in
/ the avenue, and on the ocean drive at New
port, as Philip Royden who had killed his
man in duel. He might even become an
authority on the code, like Captain Bar
wick. With these views, and under such
conditions, Royden, having no fear for him.
self, believed he was on the field of glory
that clear, cold January morning in On
tario. To his own mind he had gone there
at the summons of outraged honor to
punish brutal wrong, suffered in his own
person.
The seconds had made the required ar
rangements. The Captain had won the
choice of position, and Royden was stand
ing with his back to the sun, which had
/ IL her