The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-11
MAI. RANDALL'S DUEL.
AN INCIDENT OF TIE PARAGUAY
BR I'll WAR.

/ how a Hot-headed Baron From a
Cold Climate Was Appeased With
out oodshed-Diplomacy salves
! Wounded Honor.
/ Com. Rockwell. L. S. ", in Harper's Weekly
The flagship Martingale. of the south
Atlantic squadron. was moored in the
beautiful harbor of Rio Janelro. The flag
/ OF Rear Admiral Sansompost flew from the
mlzzen-truck. The war between Brazil
and Paraguay was progressing slowly, but
as 1t affected many interests Of foreigners
| domlciled IN both countries, a large number
OF war ships were on the South American
coast, and the metropolis of Brazil was gay
with uniforms aud the constant festivities
consequent upon the presence of so many
/ strangers.
The days of dueling were past. The
larger courtesy consequent upon better edu-
/ cation, and more careful regard for per-
sonal rights, had practically condemned it,
and the naval aud military regulations of
all nations threatened severe penalties for
| its exercise.
| The night was calm, dark and cloudless,
and the Martingale lay listlessly at her
anchor off the plaza landing.
The officer Of the deck lounged over the
capstan and thought of home and longed
| Tor his interesting watch to be over. The
band had ceased its evening concert and
had oeen dismissed. The charming strains
OF the old-time Tattoo" with the flies and
drums had died away. Two bells" had
| been struck, and the boatswain and his
mates had ''piped down" Lights had been
reported out, and a perfect stiffness sue
| ceeded the stir made by 400 men, who had
retired to their hammocks
Boat ahoyw sang out the quartarmaster
Boat coming alongside, sir can't make out
the answer" The messenger boy, with a
lantern, flew over the gangway and down
| the ladder, and soon brisk, dapper little
man came on board and presented himself
to the officer of the deck with a graceful
| salute.
Sir" said he. permit me to introduce
myself. am Baron Knockoff, OF the Rus
sian legation, aud | have had a personal
difficulty with a Brazilian gentleman on
shore. l am going to shoot him in the
| morning. We have no Russian ship in port,
and relying upon the friendship that exists
between our nation and the United States,
have come on board to ask one of your
| officers TO act as my second. Is Mai. Ran
dali on hoardP'
The officer Of the deck woke up in an iu-
| slant. Here was some mischief out of the COM
mon line, and he could scent some fun in the
air that would relieve the tedium Of his
Grasping the baron by the Rand he shook
it warmly, delivered brief address to him
reciprocating his friendly sentiments, and
assured him that he had come to the right
place and at the right time to get accom-
| modated. Unfortunately the gallant major
OF marines was on shore. but might return
at any moment. Something must be done
to keep the baron amused for the present,
so the officer Of the deck sang out:
h()rdprlV asE fhn Captain ~ I Cap saa
him."
Capt. TOmpiUn had eaten an excellent
dinner. The better part of three bottles of
claret had disappeared down his throat, and
he was at peace with all the world He
belonged to the fighting men OF the "Old
Navy" and any hint OF fight was music
to his ears. To him appeared the officer of
the deck, with the little baron in tow.
''Sir," said he, Il have great pleasure In
introducing to you Baron Knockoff, of the
Russian diplomatic service. He has had a
! personal difficulty with a Brazilian on
shore, and as there are no Russian officers
here he has come on board to ask one of
ours to act as his second. l have assured
HIM of our sympathy and assistance and he
| desires to consult with you and await the
return Of Maj. Randall, who is on shore"
Capt. Tompion was on fire in an instant.
Shaking the baron warmly by the hand, he
sang out:
"Steward, bottle of champagne, baron,
be seated Orderly, call the first Lieutenant
and tell him that l wish to see him. Going to
shoot him in the morning, Ell, baronl Bless
my soul, this seems like old times! Stand
| by you! OF course we will, my boy. Have
another glass of wine. Steward, cigars"
Lieut.. Lawrence, the first lieutenant, came
| up the hatch-tall stern. erect as soldier
and passed into the cabin. The popping Of
corks ensusd and the conference began.
The officer Of the deck caught a stray
messmate and sent him to the ward room
with the story, and soon an intere1ted
| group gathered on the,quarter-deck, eagerly
awaiting developments.
"5uch punishment as a oourt-martial
may adjudge may be inflicted on any per-
son in the navy who sends or accepts
challenge to fight duel OF acts as a second
| in a duel"
This is the language of the articles of war
which were framed to regulate the conduct
of these gallant officers who were aiding
and abetting the baron.
| The officer OF the deck was summoned to
the conference. During the continued use
| of champagne it was determined that it
was solemn moral duty to stand by tue
baron, and another bottle was opened.
| Still the missing major came not. Time
was passing. Something must be done. So
Lieut.. MoKillen was sent for.
| After being introduced to the baron and
! hearing the case, the captain Informed the
| lieutenant that our honor was at stake, and
that he would have the nigh privilege of
acting as the barons second, when, just at
this juncture, Maj Randall came aboard.
| With a flower III his buttOnhole his coat
| thrown back from his ample chest, hum
ming popular air from the "Graud Ouch
esse" and apparently at peace with all the
world, tho gallant feet marine officer
| stepped from the outer darkness upon the
| quarterback He was probably the most
peaceful warrior in the world at the time.
| Correct in habits, mild and gentle in de-
meanor, with profound respect for regu-
| lations and a great care not to break them,
| he seemed to be the last person in tie world
| to assist in duel.
| Upon him bounced the officer of the deck.
| major" said ne, prepare your mind for
| something very serious. You will require
| all your fortitude for painful and trying
duty; one that you must perform for the
honor and credit Of the flag and of the
uniform you wear" and before the as
tonished soldier could utter a word the deck
! officer rushed him into the cabin.
"Oh, major, you are just in time. You
have just CONS very near to losing a chance
to Distinguish yourself in a serious matter.
Have glass of wine"
80 spoke Capt. Tompion, while the baron
shook him effusively by the hand.
The matter in question was explained to
the major, while the captain and the first
lieutenant impressed upon him his duty in
the case Lieut.. McKillen, who was now