The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-08

tUWdto SuC OpCu puuS' nOlC.
 "Hold on there r said the colonel, " that 'ere cigar is lit v
 Certainly it is," gasped Foulon, his lips quivering in spite of himself.
 "Well," said the colonel, with grin, "you ain't such darned fool as to put a lighted cigar into keg of powder, be you3 When was you born?"
 Sir," replied the lieutenant, vainly endeavoring to hold the cigar motionless in his shaking hand. "I have given my word that if lost the toss-up should put this lit cigar"
 |" "Hold on; you didn't say lit."
 "Well, the cigar l was smoking"
 |" Put it out, then"
 Sir, you have run the risk that ran. l have lost, and have but to do as you would have done. will put this lighted cigar into this bung-hole"
 '' Put in the chawed up end, then"
 "You insult me again, sir"
 Bless your heart You fire up a darned sight easier than this powder ever will. Do you think that would put the burning end of cigar into the buughole of keg full of powder2 Great Jerusa. lemp
 have told you again, and repeat it, that you are no gentleman. But I-l am man of honor. Bahi You shall sec nc die as one. keep my promise"
 Foulon slowly advanced the burning cigar toward the opening in the keg be- heath.
 "Go away here, you shall be killed" shouted Vicaire to the colonel. but the latter remained quietly beside the victim. Vicaire covered his face with his hands, and waited for the awful moment which was to blow his friend to atoms. There was dead silence, and then a slight hiss was heard. Vicaire looked up. Foulon, his face purple with rage. was holding his cigar after repeatedly poking it into the bunghole. The colonel was one broad grin.
 Is this powderi" asked Foulon.
 "Tooth powder," answered the col opel; "cost almighty"
 But," said Foulen, shaking now with rage instead of fear, if you had lost the toss-up, our keg was full of gunpowder What then W
 "Pd have put the cigar out before put it in" said the colonel.
 "Ah 1" murmured Foulon.
 "Or stuck in the chcwed-up end. Hold on to the terms, you know"
 Foulon calmly walked to his carriage. He and Vicaire hoisted in their kes of gunpow Ter and followed it themselves,
 "Sir 1" shouted Foulon to the colonel, " said you were no gentleman. say now you are coward"
 The colonel smiled.
 For three days the friends walked about Paris and saw both Foulon and Vicaire several times. They were not posted in the cafes, for the Frenchmen feared the storm of ridicule which knowledge of the grotesque duel would bring upon them Neither were they horsewhipped,f flor Vicaire argued that they would probably retaliate, and in such case the whipping would be only modi- fled form of the duel la club rempli.
 On the fourth day after this duel" the three friends happened to be on one of the large and beautiful steamboats carrying excursions down the Seine. Col onei Skerrett, like consistent Yankee, was in the pilot house, watching the work ing of the wheel. He came down after. ward and sauntered back to where his two friends were standing. Near them were no less individuals than Foulon and Vlcaire. Neither party addressed the other. The boat was in the middle of the river. For long distance on either side the banks were straight, and the tide was flowing directly down the middle channel. Suddenly arose a cry of fire. A wild stampede of passengers in the bow of the boat was made toward the stern, and Foulon, who was standing near an opening in the railing, was thrown from hIs balance. As he was falling over. board the colonel stretched out his long arm, grasped him by the collar, and pulled him in again. The Frenchman's hat had fallen of. The colonel picked it up, and with friendly smile, handed it to his late adversary. Foulon colored up and said eagerly:
 Colonel Skerrett, beg your pardon. You are gentleman"
 In the meantime the panic increased. All the bow of the boat was ia bright blaze, and the fire reached the pilot house. The pilot rushed out with singed beard and eyebrows, and the boat slowly drifted down the stream. The colonel caught hold of the pilot and dragged him to Foulon.
 "Sir," said he, "ask this here fellow which bank is the safest to land on, and tell me"
 He says the rish. one," answered Foulon. '' Rut the boat cannot be man aged the wheel must be on fire"
 Without word of reply the colonel plowed his way through the shrieking crowd, leaped up the steps of the pilot house, and seized the wheel. There he stood, the flames roaring about him, the crowd shrieking beneath him, steadily steering toward the right bank.
 Foulon shuddered at this exhibition of simple, superhuman courage.
 The bank was reached The crowd, selfish and crazed with fear, rushed to land, The major and the captain strug- gled up the burning steps of the pilot house, followed by Foulon and V.caire They dragged the colonel out through the flames, bore him to the bank and ap- blind restoratives. He was less injured than might have been supposed, and at