The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-06-05

pantaloons, leaving his suspenders dan
Cling at his heels, and had hurriedly
thrust his feet into d nuge pair of slippers
III which he came scut1ing along the quar-
ter to greet his visitor
After shaking hands, the latte. said:
Il have come to ask your assistance,
Captain Putnam, in a matter Of some I'M
portance | am better acquainted with
You than with most captains about here,
and believe can rely on your aid"
"Irouble with your men ?" Asked the
old man, cautiously
mot exactly" replied Captain Hunter
then he added with a smile: "The fact is,
have engaged to fight duel tomorrow
at sunrise, and want you to act as my
second"
"Jee-rusalem calculated the Skipper,
hracing himself squarely on his legs and
staring hard at his visitor. "Give Us the
pertlcerlers," he added, when he had
drawn long breath.
Supposlng the matter to be private. |
was starting forward, when Captain Hun
ter asked me to remain and listen to his
account, which in substance was as fol-
lows.
lie had passed the afternoon on shore,
and while at the house Of the Overseer,
had met the English Captain of the Mo
gul. In the way OF conversation, the lat
ter, knowing Hunter to be Southerner
had taken pains to condemn in strong
terms the Institution of slavery as main
tanned in the United States Hunter had
retaliated by abusing the English Gov
ernment for allowing British ships to
where, as was well known, they were
sold into bondage far worse, and treated
with much greater severity than We're
the negroes in America. One word
brought on another, until, finally, the
| Englishman left the house, swearing ven
sednce. Shortly atterWard, Captain
Hunter was waited upon by a Lieuten-
ant belonging to an English trigate sta
toned at the islands. The officer bore a
challenge from the merchant Captain,
which Hunter promptly accepted The
place selected for the meeting was a level
spot, perhaps an acre in size, Just beyond
the Ovelseers residence. The weapons
We're to be ordinary revovers, and the
hour sunrise. 1t only remained for Cap
tam Hunter to obtain second, and for
this purpose he had visited our ship.
''Old lzruTs your man, Capt'in y eN-
claimed the skipper, after listening to the
above story. 'By lightnin'," he added,
rubbing his broad palms eNcitedly, ''if
you don't pepper that Limejuicer's hash,
1t Won't be for want nf assistance from
me, 1 can tell you"
After some further conversation, the
| visiting Captain took his departure
"Mr. Trimmer" said the Skipper.
when we were left to ourselves, "have my
gig at the gangway 10y daylight and see
| that four Of our best men are in her.
''l QUILL 90 with me in the boat, leavin'
| the mate aboard to attend to the cargo"
It was barely daylight when we left
the ship the next morning. Early as
was the hour, boats We're putting off
from most Of the ships, for the news of
the approaching duel had spread like
Wlldlire through the fleet. We saw a
cutter leave the trigate. Two officers
sat III her sternsheets, stiff as pokers.
She dashed up to the landing in fine
style, her men tossing their oars with
admirable precision. The sight seemed
to enragc our Skipper, for he said to the
men,
81 don't want to kill anybody atore the
| peIceedin's begin, but if YOU tellers don't
lay me alongside the dump in as good
shape as that man -o-war boat, there'll
be lively times among We, sure's your
| born"
Acting upon this hint, the men bent to
their oars. and in another moment we
We're on shore, where Captain Hunter
was waiting our arrival
inf 10 IN
English Lieutenant. and to bis brother
officer, who proved to be the ships sur
geon. The English merchant captain
looked hot and uncomfortable as he
chewed away at an unlighted cigar
Captain Hunter appeared cool and col
lected, though his countenance showed
traces OF anxiety, which was perfectly
natural under the circumstances had
barely time to notice the two men, when
the party started for the ground follow
ed by sober crowd composed chiefly Of
captains and other ships officers
Upon reaching the place, the seconds
proceeded to business at once. In ar
ranging the preiminaries, our skipper
bore himself with more dignity than
had given him credit for possessing. |
remember that he took exceptions to the
position allotted to his friend.
81 OBJECT he said, quietly, when the
English officer was proceeding with the
arrangements.
al 0bject," he repeated, more forcibly,
when the latter attempted to convince
him
"Great guns, don't you hear me say |
object y He demanded, fearing that no
attention was to be paid to his complaint.
1t is needless to add that his objection
was heard and allowed
| do not recollect the distance at which
the men were placed, but | know that it
struck me as being remarkably short
They were to face each other, and were
not to fire until the English Lieutenant
had counted three.
calm at his heart, and fire the instant
| stop counting" said the officer to his
principal, in loud voice, as the men
were conducted to their stations
"Give him an American salute straight
between the eyes, and fire when YOU
darned please )" was our Shippers part
ing injunction as he pressed his friends
hand and retired to a safe distance.
"Are you ready gentlemen ?" asked
tho Lieutenant.
"All ready" was the reply from EACH
The officer drew long breath and
begun.
cone, Two"
Scarcely had he uttered the word,
when bang went the Englishmans re-
volver.
saw bit of cloth fly up from Cap
tain Hunters left shoulder, as his adver-
sary's bullet went whistling past, within
a few inches of his neck
Disguised at the Englshman's treach-
cry, the indignation of the spectators
found vent in derisive groan
"Go on with your countin' Captin"
cried our Skipper, as he drew a revolver
and took step forward. "Old Izrul's"
blood was up. and he evidently meant
business.
"Three )" came from the astounded
naval officer.
At the word, Captain Hunter, who,
during the proceedings, had stood with
his pistol arm rigidly extended, took de-
liberate aim and fired.
!