Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-07

M " OLObuCI An0ttOAto sN>~~f
with bitter, desperate emphasis" as a
brother And be turned and left the
girls presence without another word.
She made movement as IL to follow
him, but he had passed down the steps
and out OF tho gate with long strides
like some actor in melodrama.
Her first thought was OF danger 10
Honore Chauvin for in those days the
hot French blood rarely cooled without
first having boiled over in deadly fight
What Pierre Nation did was TO 90
straightway to his friend Honore Chau-
win and slap him in the face.
"That for Marie de Noyant " he ex-
claimed, still choking with tho despe-
rate choler excited by his sense OF de-
feat. "That for you he went on, re-
peating the insulting blow. Then he
turned and left Honore, well knowing
what would follow.
The challenge was promptly sent and
as promptly accepted.
The following morning at little past
sunrise the combatants, with their Sc
conds and surgeons, met in small open
space where two or three little wildwood
roads, dim and struggling, crossed each
other in the forest part OF what was then
known as the Tolme plantation. They
were to fight with swords.
The weapons were measured, positions
chosen, the word given. and the fight to
the death was begun 10y o thin, keen,
far-reacbing clink Of steel crossing steel.
Many time had these young men
(now eager for each others blood) fenced
in manly play, and well did both know
how equally they were matched, and
how doubtful was the outcome OF the
struggle they were beginning Both
were pale but cool and wary IN their
eyes burned the hateful fire OF unfor-
giving anger. The seconds stood aside,
silently but intently gazing on the sur
geons, little further away, held their
bandages and instruments ready.
Honore Chauyin, to do him justice.
did not wish 10 kill Pierre Nation, but
meant if he could to disable him. This,
however, was not so easy, for Pierre,
eager to slay, and burning with rage OF
disappointed passion, was fighting like
a mad tiger, and yet with supreme yigi-
lance and art.
A TEMPEST OF PASSION.
Their swords cut the air with kissing
sw1ftness and filed tho space with q
clangor and a shower of spiteful sparks
that might well have stilled all the wild
songs Of the birds in the woods round
about. Once the keen point OF Pierre's
rapier barely touched Honores throat,
letting the least show of blood. In turn
Pierre felt tingling scratch on his own
breast but this exchange OF touches
only shot into the fight q new access OF
energy. As the exercise began to steady
their excited nerves and lend suppleness
to their leaping muscles, they redoubled
their efforts. and Honore forgot his re-
solve to only wound Pierre, while Pierre
felt his desire to kill swell into a steady,
deadly tempest Of passion.
Again and again each OF tho COM
batants received slight wounds, mere
scratches; but neither appeared able to
break the others guard or to find an I'M
defended point, such touches as they had
given and received being more the re-
suit of close fighting than of advantage
either way. But no matter how young
and strong they were, or how expert,
this could not last very long. The
tremendous strain was sure to tell. Who
would fail first snd permit the other to
make the fatal pass
They we're painting now, and the white
foam was gathering on their purple lips.
Their eyes, starting and glazing with
concentrated fury, were fixed and terrible
in their animal expression. 1t was as if
these two men, so lately friends and
almost brothers, were ready to mangle.
and deyour each other like savage Wild
beasts.
Happily the time when such things
could be has gone by, but 1t is by keep
ing record of those strange facts that We
arc able 10 understand the growth OF
our present civilization. The duel lin
gered longer in tho South than in the
North, and especially in the low country
did it last without much sign Of passing
away, till some time after the close Of
our great war. Looking back now we
can scarcely realize that only half GEN.
fury ago it was common occurrence Tor
two men TO do what We are witnessing
between Honore Chauyin and Pierre
Nation.
So much was duelling o part of the
life OF the people in the early years OF
the present century that IN some parts
of our country to refuse q challenge was
TO invite social ostracism, and not to
give one on fit occasion was sure to Mt
tract contempt
The seconds and the surgeons stood
by so wrapped in contemplation Of the
even-handed fight. so engrossed IN
watching the leaping blades and so for
getful OF everything save this play OF
death, that they did not hear the sound
OF wheels and the rapid beating OF fly
ing horses feet. As for the principals
they would not have heard If thunder
bolt had fallen at their feet. They were
now fighting in the last squirt Of
strength before one or the other must
fail. Each felt that If his antagonist
held up few minutes longer all would
be over. The reflection of this thought
set terrible light in their drawn and
haggard faces.
The muilled sound of wheels in the
sand and OF tho furious flight OF a horse
came nearer and nearer. The seconds
leaned forward as tho intensity OF their
sympathy with their principals seemed
10 shriyel them, as if with heat the sur
geons unconsciously drew closer to tho
painting, laboring duellists.
Honore Chauvin at this moment made
q lunge. Pierre avoided it by SUI
preme effort. The movement caused
them TO exchange positions, and rs
they did so Pierre shot out quick
thrust that pierced Honore's sleeve
without touching the flesh. His point
hung half-second, and Honore was Just
in the act of running him through, when
he tripped on a small root and stag
gered back. Now they both rallied and
renewed the contest with momentary
show OF returning strength but Honore
was failing. Pierre saw this and rushed
upon him with feeble but furious energy,
striving to beat down his guard. lie
had succeeded. and Honore was at his
Il L