Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1889-05-30

had been decided on. even before his
seconds had seen those Of George
Lanil. before he really knew If he
we're going tn fight He bathed.
dressed himself and went out with a
firm step
He said over and over % himself
whilst walking:
Il must show n great deal Of energy
about this-a great deal | must give
proofs | am not afraid"
His seconds. the Marquis and the
Colonel. put themselves at his disposal.
and after Paving shaken hands with
him vigorously. discussed the condi-
tious.
The Colonel said:
You wish this duel to be a serious
one9
Very serious the Vicomte replied.
Then the Marquis took the word
DO you desire especially hat pis-
tols shall be used9r
Yes
You leave US free to settle the
rest9-
In a harsh. dry voice the Vicomte
a~rticulated: Twenty steps. ut the
word Of command. raising the weapon
instead Of lowering it. Shots to be ex-
changed until one or the other is seri-
ou=ly wounded
Those are excellent conditions" the
Colonel announced in n satisfied tone;
you are n good shot. all the chances
are on your side
And they separated The vicomte
went to his rooms TO await their CON-
ing. His agitation. which had been
quoted for a time. grew now from
minute to minute He was conscious
Of a sort OF trembling. a vibration
creeping over his arms. rs legs and
into his heart; neither sitting nor
standing could he keep still.
All the natural saliva had left his
mouth. and every now and then his
tongue clicked dryIy against his pal
ate.
He thought at first he would break
fast. and her found he could not eat
The idea struck him to drink t0 give
himself courage. and tlSz he had a
half-Pint bottle OF spirits sr-ugkt him.
OF which he drank. one after the other.
six small glasses. He seemed envel-
Oped in n warmth like 4 fame. then a
bewilderInent of sou came To him
He thought: Il hold the means. Now
feel better-sure of myself
But at the end of an hour he had
emptied the bottle. and his state OF
nerves again became unbearabIe. He
felt a mad desire 10 roll on the ground.
TO cry out. to gnaw something.
\ pull at the d~Oor-bsII gave him SO
great a feeling OF sufTocatiOu that he
was not strong enough to get up and
receive his seconds. He no longer
dared speak to them. say good morn
ing or pronounce one single word
for fear they would divine all from the
mere alteration in his voice.
All Is settled according to the con.
ditiOns you arranged" the Colonel
announced Your adversary frs:
claimed the privileges of the ~insuIted
party. but he gave in very soon and
has accepted every thing His second,
are two military men,
The Vtcnmte managed to utter:
Thank
The Colonel went on:
Pardon Us II We only come in and
20 right out again. for we have q
thousand things to do yet. We mus,
have a good surgeon. since the duel is
to last until there Is n serious wound;
and you know to get a ball in one.
self l. 40 joke We must choose q
place near a house. where the wounded
man may be carried IL necessary. and
5 forth and SO on; in fact. we have
enough to keep Us busy for two OF
three hours"
Again the Vieomte ~articuIated:
Thanks
You are feeling WE'LL said the Col
onel. Feeling calm77
Yes. very calm. thanks"
The two men went away.
w
When he knew himself TO be alone
once more he thought he was going
mad
His man having lit the lamps. h.
seated himself at his table to write
some letters. After having written OF
the top of the page. This is my
will he got up again with a shudder
and stretched himself impotently. feel
ing incapable of putting one idea with
another. of taking any resolution. de.
Gliding any thing
SO he was to fight He could NJ
longer avoid it What was happenin.
to hims He wished to fight. he mean
To fight, his mind was fully made vi
to it, and it really seemed. in spite o
all his mental effort and the strain OF
power OF will. that he could o keel
hold Of sufficient strength TO take him
To the meeting place. RE tried I,
picture the duel to himself. his owl
attitude, his adversary's bearing.
From time to time his teeth hit to
gether in his mouth with a little dr.,
noise He wished to read. and tool
up Chateauvillard's Code of Deul
ing" He then said 10 himself:
Has my opponent frequented shoot.
ing matehess Is be well known Doe.
he belong tn auv -oscial Glass; Hov