The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-12

usage in Paris with the idea of making q
duel with pistols less murderous. But
for these and :,leI ksct already noticed
that experts in the gallery often cease
to be such on the field, there would be q
terrible percentage Of deaths in these en-
counters.
One of the favorite exercises at Renette's
gallery is the shooting st small plaster
images made to move past at different
rates of speed. The younger Dumas, who
has had many duelling experiences, is q
great adept at this, though of recent years
he has not practiced as much as formerly.
He has never forgotten the tragic duel in
which his father was concerned. when NJ.
Dujarier. of La Presse, was killed.
Another feat, something of trick, how.
ever, consists in throwing q coin into the
air and hitting it with a pistol ball. Dozens
of Renette's pupils can do this three times
out Of four.
At the time of his great popularity Gen.
Boulanger used to visit this gallery fire.
Quentiy and u number of his cartons are
still on exhibition there or were few
years ago. 1.-THE Brave General" was a
better shot than he was a swordsman. He
used to practice IN q buff co!ored suit, with
short jacket and very tight-fitting trousers.
Boulanger's old adversary, the present
president Of the chamber of deputies, NJ.
Charles FlOQuet. who is in a fair way to
having a new series of duels on his hands,
is too near-sighted to become very accur-
ate shot, although he has made some fair
records.
tice at Renette's before he was elected to
the Eiysee. and his cartons are shown to
visitors with pride.
Perhaps the most formidable pistol shot
who visits Gastinne-Renette's gallary is
the tempestuous orator. Paul de Cassag-
mac, editor Of the Imperalist organ L'AufO-
rite. NJ. de Cassagnac is formidable to be-
gin with from his very looks. He stands
over six feet and is broad and heavy in
proportion. HIS swarthy skin and coal
black hair and eyes tell of the hot south
ern blood which runs in his veins, and
those who attack him or incur his dis
pleasure are very apt to wish they had
done something else. lie looks like an
Indian, talks like a hood tide and fights
like a cyclone. He has probably taken
part in more duels than any man in
France, and is absolutely fearless.
One popularity about NJ. de Cassagnac's
method of firing is that he never takes
aim. or at least not as other experts do.
He gauges the line between his weapon
and the mark in some such way as a base
bali player aims the ball he is throwing
seeing only the mark. The consequence
is that while not capable of such wonder
full show feats as many other patrons Of
the gallery. such as hitting bird on the
wing or shooting a 5-tranc piece off his
toe. NJ. de Cassagnac when it GENES to the
pinch always lands his bullet near enough
10 the mark to make ii exceedingly I'm.
pleasant TOR the other fellow, and what is
Of greater moment still he seems to shoot
better in duet than at any other time.
IL don't pretend TO spit hairs with a
pistol ball, ne told yain-giorious marks
- st,.v Il all
right when It is necessary"
Such a cynical man is NJ. dc Cassagnac
One of the most celebrated pistol Shots
in france and a man who was often seen
at Renettes before his exile TO London
was Henri Roche.ort. the bitter PAM
phleteer. who alone is able to dispute with
NJ. de Cassagnac for the palm among lIv-
ing dueiists. When l called NJ. kochefort
a celebrated pistol shot. mean that he IS
celebrated rather for his daring than for
his skill, which. as a matter of fact, IS not
of the highest order.
That consideration, however. has never
held nim back from meeting any one who
gave or found cause upon the Champs
d Honneur. He and NJ. de Cassagnac
have been bitter cnefniep. for years and
more than one chalIenss has passed be-
tween them. Twenty years ago they
fought for the first time. the Weapons being
pistols. hoCneioft ihisseV 69tAlStys MAere-
upon de Cassagnac coolly planted bis bull
let in his adversary's left side. where it
struck an image Of the Virgin, giving
Rochefort lease Of life md chance TO
crack one of his inimitabi4 iokes. A few
years later Rochefort. nhddened BY the
attacks of his rival. Challenged him to a
duel a Ia mort. in which he proposed to
stand at ten PAGES with lStois, only one
of which should be loaded. =. de Cassag-
nae, for the only time III bic life, refused
70 tight under such conditi&pa,