The Forrest City times., 1891-05-15
my coffee, "I shall make no apology. /"

Bowker, "that the major is dead shot, and tn at in the handling of the sword he has no superior" cared nothing at all about that. l knew the temper of our officers, and I knew that I should be held Tn light esteem if l allowed Major Farwell to back me down. Once more Bowker asked me Ii would apologize. told him most temphatically, "No." !" "Then," he added, "I have instruc- tions to deliver this note" He handed me an unsealed missive, which found to be challenge; and by 1t was informed that Adjutant BOwker was empowered to make all necessary arrangements. My warurest friend in the regiment was the first lieu tenant, named Walker, and I sent for him at once, desiring him to act as my second. At first he tried to dissuade me from fighting; but when he found l would not retract, he consented to serve me, though could plainly see that he liked not the business. He asked me if 1 had any instructions to give | him.
 "Only two items," I replied. "First 1 will fight with pistols-and second; As my nerves arc unstrung, 1 would like that the affair be put od till to- morrow morning"
 l Walker went out with the adjutant; and when he returned he informed me 1 that the arrangements were all made. | We were to meet at seven o'clock on the following morning-weapons, pis- l tols-distance, twelve paces-our sec onds to toss for choice of position to fire at the word of command. After dinner sat down alone to ar range my affairs. I wrote several let | ters, which I sealed, and enclosed in q single envelope, to be sent off by my clerk in case 1 should fall My prop erty gave into Walkers charge, with instructions how to dispose of 1t. l When matters had been thus arranged 1t was we'll towards evening; and talk ing light cane in my hand, walked out for breath of fresh air.
 Not far from the camp were Morgan s Falls, a wild, romantic spot, where the water of the river tumbled over a huge bed of broken rocks; and towards this spot l bent my steps. Just above the falls was a bridge of logs, from which could be obtained one of the 1 grandest scenes that ever blessed the eye of an artist As I reached the | summit Of an emlnence near the falls l saw a woman and child standing upon the bridge; but lost sight of them as descended into the shrubbery
 l was just emerging from the thicket, when sharp, piercing cry of agony hrOEp I1n0n m I tS ha | bridge, and there saw the woman alone! She was wringlng her hands, and shrieking like crazy creature. 1 was not many secondsin comprehend ing the truth. Below the bridge, float ing away on the troubled water, I saw the child, it's spreading garments buoying 1t up; and 1 could hear the tiny voice calling. Mammal Nam man'
 There was not moment to lose. The child was going nearer and nearer to the falls-nearer and nearer to it's death. It was a fearful risk for me: for the chances were that l should be taken over into the hissing boiling surge below the rocks. But what was the risk to me then? Ii died in the river, l should not stand in tine way of Major Farwell's bullet. had better, a thousand times, give up pmy life thus, than throw it away in the duel. The woman saw me, and appealed to me for help; but my coat was of before she discovered me, and in moment more 1 was in the water, striking out with all my power.
 The child was half way from the bridge to the falls when I started; but l swam rapidly, and caught 1t just as 1t had reached the point where the waters began to gather for the plunge It was girl. not more than three or four years old, with bright golden ring let's; large blue eyes, and face like a cherub, She clasped her arms about my neck, and called me Papa"
 70, papa, papa-good papa-don't let Kitty go into that wicked place down therei'
 With all my might Iheld up the child, and struck for the shore; but it was not to be. had been drawn into the swift current, and no mortal could have withstood it. The prospect of the morrow took from me all fears of the present, and was more calm and collected that l might otherwise have been. As soon as 1 realized that I must go over the falls turned every thought to saving the child; for, even in those few short moments, the little darling had won strangely and deeply upon my love.
 Nearer and nearerl-swifter and swifterl-the roar of the mad waters growing louder and louder!--until at length the edge was reached Close to my bosom bore the child, shielding it as well as could; and in moment more my eyes were closed beneath the boiling flood. Down--down-down- then around like top,-then away over bed ofsmooth rocks; and when finally opened my eyes saw the shore not far of and quickly discov- cred that could stand upon my feet, with my head out of water.
 1 reached the shore just as three or four soldiers came down from the mule-path. and they helped me to a bed of moss, and took the child from my arms.
 Was the child safe?
 They told me, yes. Hooked up and saw the cherub smile, and then my brain whirled, as it had whirled in the flood, and I sank into the arms ot one of my men, dizzy and faint.
 When 1 came to myself was upon my own bed, and Walker and my or derly were by my side. started up and looked around, and was not long in remembering what had happened. My first inquiry was for the child had savad