The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-04

secOHu, Wien, just at this JuncIure, Ma
jor Randall came on board.
With flower in his buttonhole, his
coat thrown back from his ample chest,
humming a popular air from the Grand
Duchess" and apparently at peace with
all the world, the gallant feet marine
officer stepped from the outer darkness
upon the quarter deck. He was prob
ably the most peaceful warrior in the
| world at that time Correct IN habits,
mild and gentle in demeanor, with pro-
found respect for regulations and great
care not to break them, he seemed to be
the last person ID the world to assist in a
duel
Upon him pounced the officer of the
deck.
"Major, said he, prepare your mind
for something very serious. You viii
require all your fortitude for painful
and trying duty; one that you must per-
form for the honor and credit Of the flag
and of the uniform you wear" and before
the astonishe6 soldier could utter word
/ the deck officer rushed him into the
| cabin.
ooh, major, you are just in time. You
have just come very near to losing q
chance to distinguish yourself in seri-
Gus matter. Have glass of wine"
So spoke Captain Tompion, while the
| baron shook him etTusively by the hand.
The matter in question was explained
to the major, while the captain and tbs
first lieutenant impressed upon him hiF
duty in the case. Lieutenant McKillen,
who was now out of the fight, took great
pleasure in helping the major with
friendly advice, while the steward opened
another bottle Of champagne.
What passed through the pacific mind
of the soldier no one knew at that time.
If he mentally beheld vision of CORY
field of battle, with one or possibly both
combatants stretched upon the grass
wounded or dead, if he thought of his
own arrest and trial before a court
martial. he gave no sign of his feelings.
On the contrary, like one waking from
sleep, he suddenly exclaimed, Baron,
l will act for you In this case with much
pleasure. | am quite at your service"
dh0 Ct1 UCI CdCI AIdtI
by the hand, they all took drink.
1t was getting late. The major, saying
nothing to any one, carefully arrayed
himself in his best uniform coat, and &C
companied the baron ON shore.
The next morning an intense but quiet
excitement pervaded the after part of the
Ship In low voices the officers discussed
the matter in all its bearings. Had the
duel come off and the major secreted
himself until he could evade the authori-
ties on shore and escape to the ship? Had
the combatants gone long distance into
the 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. AT last it was resolved to
send delegation on shore to look him
up, when, just as they were about to
start, boat came alongside, and the
major stepped on deck.
His countenance was solemn, almost
stolid in its expression. His coat was
buttoned up awry and was unbrushed.
His usually Respondent shoes were I'M
polished, but drawing his form to its
full height he saluted the officer of the
deck in a military manner and deliber-
ately said, ''Sir, have returned aboard"
Making a half face to the left he pro-
ceeded to the hatch and carefully went
below.
His expectant messmates were m the
wardroom in force to hear the news.
Whether he 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 a moment of silence the major
spoke as follows: eff any of you fellows
want to fight duel, call on me to act
for you. l can do it right every time"
GLOW was it, major"
"How did it come out?"
"What did you do?"
Such questions came in fast. The
major pulled himself together, called
for glass of water 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 the victim of
grief, or of hurried fight from a tragic
scene. | beg to assure you that it is not
so. There is nothing the matter with
me but conviviality, and that of the
strangest kind. hereby renew my
offer to act as a second in any further
duels that may come our way and the
major leaned back in his chair and pat
ted his swelling breast approvingly.
81 need not tell you, gentlemen, that
when l started ashore last night with
the baron | could not see my way out
of what promised TO be very serious
scrape. After reaching the baron's room,
over bottle of champagne, he gave me
his case. 1t seems that at a ball the pre-
vious evening the Brazilian gentleman
spoken of by the baron had given him Of
Tense by something that he had said, and
the baron was determined TO demand
He was ready to fight at
with either sword or pistol.
at once demanded that my principal /
should put himself Unreservedly into /
my hands. and he governed by any ar
that | should make For
tunately knew the Brazilian well. and /.
as the baron insisted on haste IN the I
matter, proceeded at once on my mis- I
sion, although il was after midnight.
Il assumed a severe expression Of 1
and summoned the Brazil +