The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-12-22
Selecting His Own Weapons.

In the summer of 1881, Captain Grey,
in command of merchant ship called
the Princess of Wales. made "A voyage
to the Mediterranean, and had occasion
to spend two weeks in Marseilles.
During the second week of his So
journ in Marseilles our captain had the
misfortune to get into trouble with a
French military officer-a Colonel
Tourzel- known in that city and
Toulon as tire-brand of the most IN
flammable and pugnacious description.
He had fought in many duelS, and had
killed his man more than once.
As soon as the story of the trouble
became known, the friends of Captain
Grey earnestly besought him to take
himself out of the way until the affair
had blown over. For" said they,
1.-The colonel will certainly challenge
you, and you cannot show yourself in
the city after you have refused to fight
him."
"But," said Grey, II haven't refused.
He hasn't asked me-
"Ah! but he will and of course, you
would not think OF Offering your life to
man to whom the sword and pistol
are the everyday playthings of life
time"
But the young skipper only shook his
head, and promised that he would take
good care of himself
Within half an hour after the friend
had left, Il friend of the cOlonels came
with n challenge, couched in formal
terms. The messenger was a captain
of hussars, rs polite a. could be.
you, monsieur will have the choice
of weapons. 1t will make no difference
to the colonel~-swords or pistols--ten
PAGES or twenty"
Captain Grey bowed, and informed
the huSsar that he would send a formal
reply by a friend as soon nc he had se-
lected one.
The captain went and found a brother
skipper 10 whom he made known his
need.
But" cried Captain Blazo, "you
don't mean that you are going TO fight
that man? Why. the very though, is
suicidal!'
just You wait II bit Suppose !
should select havpOonS a. the wcapons?'
well, if YOU c0aLd manage Ia have
harpoons selected, you'd have him
foul!'
Ben, want you to come with me.
I've got al idea
SO away they went Captain Grey
leading the way to the Museum OF Art
and Antiquity. where he CHANGED 10
have a dear friend in attendance, TO
whom he told his story, at the same
time making known his want. The
keeper entered into the plan with in
terest and promised the captain that
he should have what he wanted.
Only" said he, ii shall have TO go
with them, az they are in my custody,
and | cannot properly let them 20 be-
yond my sight.
So it was agreed that the keeper oi
the museum should act as one of Cap
tain Grcy's seconds, and he would bring
the weapons.
On the following morning, bright and
early, Colonel Tourzel, with two sec
onds and the surgeon OF the regiment
was on the ground. And there were
others on the ground.
Pretty soon coach appeared. from
which stepped Captain Grey and his
two seconds. and the dttdche of the
museum came forth with the weapons
in his arms. Captain Gray now step
ped forth.
Gentlemen he said, II have been
challenged to fight duel. ! never de-
serted my colors yet, and ] shall not
do it here in Marseillcs; but propose
to tight with weapon that know how
to use. And surely. you, if you be true
Frenchmen, cannot object to the lance
the weapon OF your best and your
bravest! And. my friends, ! can tell
you further, one OF those lances has
been welded in knightly combat BY a
French king. Aye, this which | here
hold taking one of them from
the keeper-"was borne by Henry the
Fourth in a gallant tourney in this
very place! Therefore, YOU cannot Oh
jett 10 my choice Of weapons, And
how / WI resdy. You. colonel NAV,