Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-02-18

a challenge to fight INiuel or acts as a
second In duel"
This Is the language Of the articles 81
war which were framed 10 regulate the
conduct Of thcee gallant officers Wit
were aiding and abetting the baron.
The officer Of the deck was summoned
10 the conference. During the continued
use Of champagne II WINS determined that
Il was SOLEMN moral duty 10 stand by
the baron, and another bottle was opened.
Still the missing major came not Time
was passing. Something must 10 dono,
80 Lieutenant McKillon was sent for.
After being introduced TO the baron
and hearing the case. the captain In
formed the lieutenant that our honor wa,
ut stake and that he would havo the
high privilege Of acting a. the baroni
second. whom. just at this iuneturc, Ma
jor Randall came on board.
with flower In his buitonholc, HI.
coat thrown back from his ample Ghost
humming popular air from tho "Granl
Duchess" and apparently ut peace with
all the world, the gallant ilect marine
officer stepped from tho outer darkness
upon tho quarter deck. lilo was prob
ably tho most peaceful warrior In the
world at that time Correct In habits,
mild and gentle in demoanor. with apro
found respect for regulations and great
care not 10 break them. he seemed TO be
tho las. person In tho world 10 assist In
duel
Upon him bounced tho officer Of the
deck.
MAJOR said no, prepare your mind
for something very serious You will
require all your fortitude for painful
and trying duty; one that you must per.
form for the honor aud credit Of tho flag
and Of the uniform you wear, and before
tho aatonished soldier could utter q word
the deck officer rushed him into the
cabin.
"Oh, major. you arc just In time. You
havo just come very near TO losing q
chance 10 distinguish yourself In sen
Gus matter. Have glass Of wino.-
So spoke Captain Tompion, while the
baron shook him eHusiycly by tho hand
Tho matter In question was explained
to the major, while tho captain and the
hrEt lieutenant impressed upon him hO
duty In the ease. Lieutenant McKillcn
who was now out Of the fight, took great
pleasure In helping tho major with
friendly advice, while tho steward opened
another bottle Of champagne.
What passed through tho pacific mind
OF tho soldier no ono knew at that time.
II he mentally bohold vision Of n gory
field Of battle. with one or possibly botl
combatanta stretched upon tho gra
wounded or dead, II he thought OF h
own arrest and trial before a cou
martial, no gave no sign OF his fcolin q.
On the contrary. like ono waking from
n sleep, he suddenly exclaimed. Baron,
will act for you in this case with much
pleasure. am quito at your service.
and after oach had shaken him solomnly
by tho hand, they all took drink.
II was getting late The major, saying
nothing to amy one, carefully arraycl
himself In his best uniform coat, and &C.
c0mpaniod tho baron on shore.
The noxt morning an intense but quiet
excitement pervadod tho after part OF the
ship. In low voicos tho officers discussed
the matter IN all its boarings. Had tho
duel come OF and tho major socroted
himself until no could ovado tho authori
ties on shore and escape TO tho ship Had
tho combatants gone long distance intG
tho country and not yet returned Such
queries were discussed pro and con. and
still no major came. Breakfast passed.
Quarters, and no major. Lunch, and he
was still absent. Every boat was scanned
for sight Of his stAlwart form and
genial face. Al last 1t was resolved IA
send delegation on shore 10 look him
up, when, just rs they were about "a
start, q boat came alongside, and the
major stepped on deck.
His countenanoe was solemn, hlmos,
stolid IN ito expression. His coat was
buttonod up awry and was unbrushed.
His usually resplondcnt shoes were nm.
polished. but drawing his form TO iti
full height he aalutod the officer Of thu
deck In military manner and dolibor.
ately said, "Sir, lhavo returned aboard.
Making half faeo 10 tho left no pro.
coeded to tho hatch and carefully went
below.
His oxpectant messmatcs were In the
wardroom In force 10 hear the nova.
Whether no was the bearer OF tragic
words or whether OF cheerful ones was
the question. The hero seated himself
at the table. and all gathered around.
After n moment OF silence tho major
spoke as follows; "lfany Of you fcllows
want to fight duel, call on me to nc,
for You can do 1t right every time"
"aow was It, MAJOR
GLOW did 1t come outr'
"What did you dos"
Such questions camo In fast. The
major pulled himself together, called
for glass OF wator and said. "sit down,
gentlemen, and will tell you all about
| It,"
"Messmates," he began, "judging
from my dilapidated appearance and
my somewhat interrupted speech, you
may imagine that | am tho victim OF
grief, or OF n hurried flight from tragic
scene. bog to assure you that II Is not
20. There is nothing tho mattor with
mo but conviyiality, aud that Of the
strangest kind. hereby renew my
offer TO act as n second In any further
duels that may come our way" and the
major leaned bacl, In his chair and pat
ted his swelling breast approyingly,
81 need not tell you, gentlemen. that
whom | started ashore last night with
tho baron | could not see my way out
of what promised To bo "A Very serioua