The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-12-07

"Sit down, Reid" said Ridgely, land l
will tell you what I'll do. AS | know you
both so well, If you will consent, will act as
second for you both'
Il am perfectly willing" replied Reid,
frightening up. ITO put my lie and honor
in your ands"
very well" said Ridgely; "the moon will
be well up by nine o'clock tonight, and half
a mile up the river from the ford, on the
other side, is n clump Of mesquite trees,
which Thomas has already mentioned as q
secluded spot. We will meet you there at
that lime, ii you do not object to the place,
and l will send for Thomas at once and in
form him of the arrangement. You will
come alone, unattended, as will bring o
surgeon with me-"
With this understanding Reid shook hands
with Kidgely, thanking him for his kindness
and friendship, and mounting his horse rode
! over 10 his camp 10 make his final arrange
lnenls tor the duel
The sun went down behind the mountains
| gliding their peaks with crimson, melting
into gold. Not long after, the Queen of Night
was slowly ascending the silvery stairway of
the sky to her throne in mid-heaven. The
drums had beat and the bugles sounded their
tattoo, which, perhaps, was to be the last
that would ever again be heard by the two
| young men who were SO soon to meet in
deadly combat. Save the sentiuels, the camp
had become hushed in slumber and not a
sound was heard except an occasional chsl-
| lenge by the guards. AS the time drew Nigh
Reid mounted his horse, and having obtained
the countersign, passed out of the lines to
the river Sau Juan Crossing at the ford,
and taking up the bank, he soon came to the
designated clump of mesquite trees, where
he was challenged by RidRey, the party hay
ing already arrived. Dismounting, and
hitching his horse TO a tree, Reid advanced
and saluted the party.
| Rldgely then, addressing the combatants,
said:
Gentlemen, as you are both friends of mine
/ have consented to act on this occasion
as the arbiter between you in this duel, upon
the only condition that each Of you will now
pledge YOUR sacred honor to obey my COM
mands implicitly, and be governed by the
terms and order of the duel, which will ex
plain after you are placed in position. Will
You make this solemn pledge and abide by
| it?"
Both men firmly responded, 81 will"
The ground was then stepped off by
Ridgely, and the choice of positions was won
by Thomas. The young men were then sta
toned, their loaded weapons examined, and
placed in their hands at present arms.
The September moon, which was near its
Illl anu hlTeduy HlSu up III luC utdNeHs, sUtu
its silver sheen upon the scene, lighting up
the dark chaparral bushes, and the limped
waters of the San Juan, as it murmured along
its winding banks and seemed TO chide the
murderous intent OF the men while the peaks
of the surrounding mountains looming up in
the distance, looked down as silent witnesses
of the coming combat. The shimmerng
MOONLIGHT fell upon the form of the two
young Rangers as they stood in the attitude
of deadly intent, revealing every feature and
expression of their faces. The long, curly, |
light-hrown hair of Reid, falling back from
his forehead, with his large blue eyes fixed
upon his adversary, bore an expression of
firmness and sadness, in which was seen no
trace of murderOus revenge; while the
handsome features of Thomas were rigid and
determined, and wild brilliancy flashed
from his dark hazel eyes. Both appeared
perfectly cool and self possessed.
Ridgely now approached, taking position
midway between the two, with six shooter
in his hand, while the surgeon stood off at a
proper distance.
"Gentlenen," said Ridgely, "you will come
to an order arms, and pay particular atten-
ton to the instructions l now give
You will first be asked if you are ready. The |
order will then be given you, as you now
stand, to shoulder-arms. Next, to present. |
arms. Then aim. followed by the word, fire |
If after the first fire neither should be NOR
tally wounded, second fire may be demand |
I'd by either party. But let me impress il |
upon you both, that after the word aim, in
stead of giving the word fire, l may say, re-
coCer-a1mS. You will, therefore, keep your
fingers well off the trigger, until you get the |
word, fire. The party deviating from these
orders in any manner | shall shoot down.
Do you both clearly understand the instruc-
tions?'
Each replied in firm tone, "Yes."
Every well, them" continued Rdgcly, 81
will now first put you through the form, that
there may be no mistake made.
gentlemen, are you readyS'
"Ready," answered the combatants.
"Shoulder-arms; rfesent-arms; aim; re-
cover-arms; ordrr-arms," were the words of
command given, ani promptly obeyed.
"Now gentlemen, you will prepare to re-
ceive the final orders OF command, and you |
will strictly observe the injunction not to
fire before you get the word"
The perilous moment of intense anxiety |
had now arrived, that tried mems souls as
well as their courage. Both of the young |
men appeared as ifevery nerve was stretched |
to its utmost tension. But there was no pal |
lor seen; no culver of the facial muscles
could be observed. Each one stood as firm |
and rcsolute as Roman gladiators, waiting for
the signal of conflict, which was to result in
the death of one or both.
The night was very still The foliage of
the trees was stirred by the faintest breeze,
and the slightest sound was painfully audible, |
as the rich, clear voice of Ridgley in measured |
tones gave the solemn words of command.
"Genlleman are you ready
"Ready," was the response of both.
".ShOuhler-drnas PreSent-arnas; Aim"
,;r nl a,;f inl hroa lace
pense, for on the next order hung the lives
OF the two adversares.
"RecOUer.arnaS ! continued Ridgley; Shout |
der-armS Admnce ten paces Fdr@ard-
march"
This unexpected order, to tic surprise of
both, brought the two Rangers face to face.
"Order-arms," cried Ridgley, approaching
the young men.
"Gentemeu," said he, "you have both
shown the highest courage, aud proved your
selves brave and gallant men, and declare
the honor OF both of you has been fully main |
tanned and vindicated. There is no reason
why this misunderstanding should not now
be amicably terminated"
Then, turning to Thomas, he said, "Reid |
has declared that he never intended TO offend
you. Shake hands'
This was II test oftheir magnanimous man
hood which required equal if not more moral
courage, perhaps, than the risk of life. Each
of the young men gradually passed his band,
as il in doubt the other would receive il until
they met in a firm grasp.
The party then rode back to Ridgley's
tent, where the new reconcied friends were
mutually congratulated on the happy term |
nation of a bloodless duel.
Thus, by the chivalrous, brave and noble
nature of Randolph Ridgely, who had so de-
serycdly won me reputation of being "slnS