The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-29

the young man raised himself from the corpSa
Then, in voice half choked by emotion, he
uttered a solemn VOW to take speedy ven
geance upon his brothers slayer. With this
object in view he retired from the apartment,
and instantly dispatched a challenge to Capt.
Fenton. The officers endeavored to dissuade
him from such a rash step, pointing out that
instead of avenging the slain, he was himself
sire to fall victim TO his opponents skill
But rernonstrance was in vain. To one and
all he replied. simply, my brother is dead;
do not care to live"
Under these circumstances it seemed hope
less to prevent this second duel Some, in
deed, thought of appealing to Capt. Fenton,
in order to persuade him, If possible, into
refusing the challenge But none were very
eager to undertake such an unpleasant duty,
especially as there appeared little likelihood
Of their efforts being crowned with success
Nevertheless, there WIS one who ventured
upon the disagreeable task. This was an
elderly gentleman, a Mr. Martin, who resided
in the neighborhood. The greater part Of hi.
life had been spent in Australia, where he
had worked an extensive sheep station. But
want Of success, or some other unknown rea-
son, made him sell out and return to his native
for grazing purposes. His sheep ''runs7 ex-
tended upward of dozen miles, and he had
also several magnificent herds of cattle.
He was generally looked upon as quiet,
unAssuming old gentleman, who never inter
fered in any other peoples business In fact,
his one aim and object in life seemed to be
the welfare Of his aoc1s and herds But in
the present instance, having learned some
particulars regarding the late tragedy, be
determined, if possible, to prevent repeti-
ton of the sad event. With this object in
view he called upon Capt Fenton.
Though he had turned threescore years,
Mr.. Martin was still hale and hearty. Like
the patriarch of old, ''his eye was not dim,
nor his natural force abated" A beard OF
snowy whiteness descended from his weather
beaten countenance. His venerable appear
ance would, in all probability, have given
considerab BILE weight to his arguments had he
to deal with one who respected gray hairs.
But, as it was, Capt. Fenton listened to him
with Ill concealed contempt. In answer to
the old mans remonstrances regarding the
result of the recent duel, his reply invariably
was that ''it served the young cub right"
Mr.. Martin entreated him to relinquish his
intention Of fighting the surviving brother.
The intercession was SO persistent that, as
might have been anticipated, the captain lost
his temper. Turning upon his Wis tor, he alb
ruptly ordered him to leave the house-add-
ing an offensive expression to the effect that
"he would not allow an old bullock driver to
interfere in his affairs of honor"
Sir" returned Mr.. Martin, quietly, tsyou
have insulted mel"
sit seems So" replied the captain, taunt-
ingly.
''And," continued the old man, in the same
calm tones, 81 demand immediate satisfao-
ton"
with all my hearth" responded Capt.
Fenton, laughing at the absurdity of theidea.
Moreover, as you have been guilty of such
ungentlemanly conduct" said Mr.. Martin, 81
insist that my claim shall have preference
over all other engagements"
''Oh, certainly" replied the captain, with
mock gravity. Tomorrow morning, if you
wish it. 1 am engaged to meet the young
fellow in whom you take such vast amount
of interest in the corner of the big meadow
at o'clock Be there little before that
hour. But don't be late, for I want to dis
pose Of both affairs and return here in time
for breakfast"
81 shall be punctual, " returned the old gen.
tleman; and without saying more he left the
house.
He was as good as his word. At half past
Z in the morning he was on the ground, at
tended by his second. Capt. Fenton soon
arrived, and later on the party was joined by
the brother of the deceased subaltern, with
whom was one of the officers from the bar
racks
1t was fearful to behold tina wild look
which the young man fixed upon Capt Fen
ton. Not once during the preparations did
his eyes wander from his brothers slayer.
While the pistols were being loaded Mr..
Martins second whispered to him:
Don't lose q moment when the signal Il
given. Aim low; it is your only chance!'
NO" replied the old man, loudly; 81
shall strike him full in the head"
1t is not known whether this speech reached
his opponents eaTs, and in some measure dis
him. 1t is believed that the steady
gaze of the young man, who thirsted to
avenge his brothers death, was not without
effect Certain it is that Capt. Fenton did
not take his place with his customary assn
rance
The men were posted. The rest retired to
a suitable distance, leaving the combatants
steadily gazing at each other. A minute or
two of terrible suspense followed, during
which brief space the silence of death reigned
over the spot. Then the signal was given,
and, almost instRntaneously, the two reports
were heard. For a few seconds the smoke
prevented the spectators from ascertainiDg
the result but as it slowly rose they saw old
Mr.. Martin standing erect and firm, while
ELL
the ground.
Both the seconds fastened toward their
principals The two men from the barracks
also ran to Mr.. Martins side, and eagerly in
quired if he was hurt. They found the old
gentleman bleeding slightly at the neck, but
he carelessly brushed the blood away with the
back of his hand Then, turning with a
kindly manner toward the youth whom he
had risked his life 10 save, he said, simply:
Il don't think l had any other way of pre-
venting this poor boy from sharing the fate
OF his brother"
Capt Fentons second now advanced and
that his man was dead. The bull
let had penetrated the left temple He re-
queSted their assistance in removing the
body. This they readily granted, but Mr.,
Martin and his Young friend held Rloof. As
the Others raised the dead man they noticed
a peculiar hardness and stiffness about the
body. On tearing open the garments of the
deceased a cry OF horror and rage broke from
them. They found concealed beneath his
clothing a tight fitting coat Of mail.
The cause Of his having escaped uninjured
in 50 many duels was now fully explained.
He had evidently provided himself with this
defense from the old armorv which his man
sion contained Though doubtless not per
fectly bullet proof, Vet in nine cases out OF
ten n ball was almost sure to glance of the
network Of steel