The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-24
Both Fire Two Shots at Each Other at Twelve
Faces Distance, but Take Good Care Not
10 IDfict Even q Flesh Wound.
Mr.. Fox's Coat Tails Pierced by Bullet
from the Pistol of Mr. BOrrOwe.
Thus Closed the Second Act Of Farce That
Has Amused Two Continents-The Whole
Affair Viewed with Disgust in London.
Borrowe and Fox Meet on the Field Of Hono1
In Belgium, but No Blood Is Shed.

In Belgium, but No Blood Is Shed.
spe oial to the Indianapolis Journal
BRUSSELS. April pa duel was fought
this afternoon between Edward Fox and
Hallett Alsop Borrowe in the bollows
of the sand dunes on the Belgian
coast, near Nieport Boies, few
miles from Ostend. It resulted in
nothing worse than q triple perforation
of the skirts of Fox's new frock coat. but
1t was as close a call as q man ever hadS
Borrowe's bullet went into the coat abou0
six inches below the lowest button. sd
close to Fox's abdomen that 1t scraped hiS
trousers. Had Borrowe bettered his airdS
by half an inch the result would have beeu
fatal beyond doubt.
There were seven persons present at thol
encounter. besides the principals. Fox waSl
seconded by VIM. b. Bacon, jr.. of Bostonsi
and Borrowe by Harry Vsne Millbsnk
The others present were Edwin Clesry, q
surgeon. and NJ. Provost, proprietor Of the
Hotel Provost. near which the duel tooH
place. and two reporters. =
An effort was made TO leave London ses,
cretly, but all parties to the affair were
missed simultaneously from their aos::
customed haunts. and the secret SOON
leaked out. Bacon arrived at the Hotel do
PEurope. at Antwerp. at 8 O'Clock. yesterss
day afternoon, having come from London by
way of greensboro and Flushing. MilIbanH
landed the night before by way of DoverS
Calais and Brussels. and Fox by way Of
HarwIch. Cleary met Fox on the railroad
and accompanied him as matter of friendS
ship. Borrowe got to Brussels via Paris,
and all were at the Hotel de PEurop6
in Antwerp before 2 o'clock this
morning. None of them went TO bed.
Fox and Borrowe wrote letters all night,
while Millbank and Bacon discussed the
details of the coming duel. and Cleary
made arrangements for the place of meet
ing with q kind hearted Antwerp
man. who knew Provost, the hotel
man near Ostead. and was loath
that the two men should lose the oppor-
tunity OF shooting at each other. Mill
bank and Borrowe left Antwerp for Ostend
at o'clock in the m orning and the others
in two parties, agreeing not TO recognize
each other en- route lest they should rouse
the suspicion of the police.
LUNCHED SEPARATELY.
Ostend was reached at noon, and the
parties drove out in carriages TO Nieport.
where luncheon was eaten in two di-
visions at the Hotel Provost. At 2:3O
the surgeon arrived. and then the
men strolled out to the sand
dunes. landlord Provost carrying the
surgeons case of instruments under his
coat and affecting to be showing his guests
the scenery. Ii was not o ten minutes
walk to the end of the pretty village. and
then only five minutes scamper over the
little hills till hollow was found from
which the roofs of the honses conld be seen
Interest was now intense as the two
principals and the others watched the sec>s
onds pace off the ground. It had been de,,
elded that the men should fire two shots al
twelve PAGES, and all present knew that
both meant business. The weapons were
q pair of As caliber dueling piss
tolls owned by Millbank, who fired them
both in Bacon's presence to show that they
were in proper condition. The pistols were
then reloaded and Fox and Borrowe were
called to the scene of action. Both were
dressed, as the etiquette of dueling re-
quIres. in frock coats and top hats. If
Borrowe 10 q coward he did not show ii
this afternoon. He was absolutely cool
and imperturbable, and Fox's nonchalanc6
was never disturbed.
Gentlemen" said Millbank, after Bor,
rowe and Fox had been placed twelve PAGES
apart and the pistols handed to them, Il
shall say, Ready. fire. one. two, threey
You may fire at any time between the
words 'one' and three Are you readyi"
Ready" said Borrowe. but Fox did not
reply.
Ready, fire ONE" bang went both
pistols at once before the word two" was
spoken. Neither of the men spoke q word
and the seconds advanced and took away
the weapons. Both men stood in their-
tracks during the trying ceremony OF re.
loading the pistols. The only Indication
of nervousness on Borrowe's part was his
lighting a cigarette. Fox never stirred.
When Millbank spoke the word "one,'
again. both men fired as before. Borrowe
stood still. but Fox lifted his hat. Borrowe
returning the courtesy. Both seconds ran
up and found Fox's coat-tails perforated
as related.
Honor was declared satisfied and Mill
bank said: Gentlemen. my pistols have
been In good hands"