Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-05-21
A Celebrated Duel.
a SCOTCH CAPTAINS STORY.

On the Island of Jamaica there
was once a meeting between Scotch
captain and a noted Creole duelist
named Henri d'Egville. The cap.
tain had gone ashore and was dining
at hotel in Kingston, where, as
not infrequently happened, the COM
pany INDUCED rather more freely
in drinks than was wise in those
quarrelsome days. All went we'll
until Captain Stewart was requested
by d'Egville to sing song in Gaelic.
Now, although Scotchman,
Stewart claimed that he knew no
Gaelic, but, the Creole being persist
ent, rather than give offense the CAP
tain sang Aud Lang Syne," and
supposed that the compromise was
satisfactory.
The company broke up, and Cap
tain Stewart returned to the ship ac-
companied by friend. On their
way back the friend mentioned
d'Egville's reputation as a bully, and
expressed his opinion that he delib-
erately sought quarrel for the pur-
pose of engaging the captain in a
duel. Captain Stewart then said:
"There is no more horrible prac-
tice of our time. Once, and only
once, have fought a duel. That
was when l was young man, and
for the sake of lady for whose hand
my dearest friend and / were suit
ors. | killed him. Since / saw him
lying dead at my feet | have never
known happy day. thonght to-
night that fate had overtaken me,
and | should be challenged to give
up my life for an offence more trivial
than that for which / took the life
of my friend"
Arrived at the ship, the Captain
stood leaning against the bulwarks
watching the lights fade out as dawn
came over the town, when he saw a
small boat coming toward his vessel,
which was lying at anchor. AS it
drew near he recognized an officer
in the Columbian service, a friend
of d'Egville. He boarded the ves-
sci, and, going up to Captain Stewart,
said he had come from d'Egville
with challenge for the insult of
substituting an English song for
him the laughing stock for those OF
the company who knew better
Stewart turned to his friend and
said, "My forebodings were right,
after ALL" He tried however to ex.
plain to d'Egville's messenger that
no offence had been intended, and to
point out the absurdity of duel for
such cause, and at last fatty re-
fused to accept the challenge.
A few days afterward Captain
Stewart met d'Egville, and, as might
have been foreseen was instantly as.
sailed as a coward and, what was
worse, was struck across the face
with horsewhip. This was more
than the Scotchman could stand, sc
he sent the message d'Egville sc
much desired, and at the time ap
pointed took two of his sailors with
him to the rendezvous. The mer
carried a pickax and spade.
Stewart ordered them to dig 6
grave sufficiently deep to receive two
bodies, and to d'Egviile's astonish
ment insisted that they should botl
stand in the grave, holding a pisto
in one hand and in the other the di
agonal corners of handkerchief
which, stretched taut, wonld regulat,
the distance. The Creole, thus cor
nered had no choice but to accep
the conditions.
The two men stepped down int
the grave, and Captain Stewar
firmly grasped the handkerchief
saying. 1.-The world will be we'll ria
of scoundrel, and also of misera
BILE man." The seconds drew lot
for the word Of command.
Meanwhile, d'Egville fumblet
with his corner of the handkerchief
dropped it and picked it up again
His face was as white as the piec,
Of linen, and before the word Fire
had passed the lips of the man who's,
duty it was to give 1t, he fell forwart
in a dead faint.
Captain Stewart looked down ol
him for moment, then, with Loo
Of disgust, kicked him, scramble
: out Of the grave, and made his wa,
, back to the ship.