Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-07-11

ne" XIII gloves Tor patching for the
bullets. The agreement was that
the rifles should be held mrZZlo up-
ward, at an angle of forty-five de-
grees, until the giving of the word
should begin, then lowered to level,
but not discharged until the final
signal should be given.
The men took their positions firmly,
but without any appearance of bra
Vado. Both were dressed in tight
hitting black clothes, with their coats
outtoned up tightly to the chin, so
as to expose nothing to guide the
other mans aim. Lake was a su-
perb object as he stood, easy and
erect, holding the weapon as lightly
as If it were willow wand instead
OF twelve pounds of wood and iron.
Chambers also handled his gun like
an old-timer. AS soon as they were
hXed, Chambers transferred his rifle
to his left hand, and taking off his
hat, courtcOusly saluted his adver-
sary, as the code requires. Lake
ala not move muscle, but the
stern expression on his face deepened
into scowl. / took position on a
log at right angles with the line of
fire, and called out, Gentlemen,
are you ready p Ready answered
both, in a distinct voice without a
tremor. | raised my handkerchief
and proceeded: 'One, two, three,
Fire y
simultaneously with the last word
the bit of linen dropped from my
fingers, and the sharp crack of the
two rifles rang out. Both men had
presented the left side in taking
aim. Lake remained motionless.
Chambers whirled half around, and
| rushed to him, thinking he had got
his dose. But he hadn't. Lakes
bullet had only ploughed through his
chin whiskers, grazing the skin,
Chambers's ball cut q hole in Lakes
silk hat, knocking it off.
The two men laid down their rifle,
and seated themselves on logs. AS
required by the rule, / went to Sena-
tOrBrOOks and asked if his side had
any proposition to make. He had
picked up stick and was whiting
it. Calmly brushing the shavings
from his clothes, he replied, We
are here to fight and not to negoti-
ate.' Very well, then,' said l,
lets load up and get through with
it, When l reached our end of the
ground, Chambers said, laughingly,
4 didn't do your teaching much
credit that time, Matt Put it a
little lower next time, and you'll fix
him. / replied but my confidence
was only assumed, for just then /
noticed Lake speaking to his second
and smiling, and it was the deadliest
smile | ever saw.
This fire also resulted in nothing.
Lakes breast was brushed by Cham
ber'S ball, and his own bullet struck
the ground in front of Chambers,
and ricOchetted through his coat.
When the two were again seated,
Senator Brooks asked NE if we had
any proposition to make. BY that
time / was pretty hot, and not in the
humor for any compromise. mo,
SIR | replied; you refused to sa-
lutte us, adding insult to injury. We
will proceed, if you please He
bowed and we reloaded. Lake had
picked up leaf, and was shredding
it from the main stem. His hand
was steady as a rock. Chambers
had taken out his penknife, and was
trimming his nails. Not symptom
of nervousness there. either.
Once more the two men faced each
other. Both men fired exactly with
the word. Chambers was not
touched. Lake sank forward to his
knees, and then fell backward.
Chambers's bullet had pierced his
head just above the left temple.
Senator Brooks raised the wounded
man, and asked for the services of
our surgeon, which, of course, was
granted at once. Chambers, his
nerves relieved from the fearful ten
sion, began to tremble. l gave him
a drink of brandy, which steadied
him, and raising his hands towards
heaven he said, in loud voice: Il
call upon God and all Of you to
witness that did not seek this trou-
BILE with Colonel Lake, The crowd
remained silent, and | hustled my
man away to the boat and back to
the city. Colonel Lake died that
night, without having regained con-
sciosness or spoken word. Cham
bers was never prosecuted. He re-
turned to his canvass, and was elected
to Congress, but died not long aftor-
ward-drank himself to death, i'm
fact"
1" Remorse?" suggested one of the
youngsters.
No, sir" replied the Colonel,
stiffiy. What did he have to be
remorseful about? Did he not kill
his man in a fair duel? His taste
for liquor, as he told me not long be-
fore he died, was inherited, and he
had always been drinking man"
S.>S