The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-09
The PERSONALLY CONDUCTED DUEL,
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events upon paper block. But at last
two positions We're found equally advan-
tageous as regards sunlight and back
ground, and two pegs were driven into the
sand to mark them.
'Twenty-three yardsw exclaimed Capt.
Kettle in admiration. by James you gem
temen must be lovely shots or you
wouldn't risk missing one another over
such distance as that Or perhaps it is
rifles you are going to fight with?'' he add
ed, tentatively
NJ. Legrand breathed hard as though he
were going to say something, but changed
his mind, and only sent over a faint puff
OF tranSipanni by way of reply. And after
pause as no one else seemed inclined to
speak, she doctor took upon himself TO
reply:
Monster" he said, gravely, 1--WE en-
ploy pistols for our duels here, so clev-
erly fabricated, that with due care they
always give the result we wish for" He
lifted his hat courteOusly as he spoke, and
Capt. Kettle returned the salute. The lit
tie Englishman did moi quite understand
what had been said TO him, but concluded
that the fault lay with his own imperfect
knowledge of the language. He could not
help noticing, however, that the two duel
lists and their seconds did not appear 10
IKE the doctors explanation. Indeed, the
journalist started as though he had been
pricked by a pin. But the ground was
TO place their men; and the side issue was
swamped by the man interest of the meet
ing. The principals took their stand be-
side the little pegs, the doctor set off al a
brisk walk at right angles to the propos-
ed line of fire, and the seconds set about
extracting weapons and ammunition from
mahogany box.
But at that moment Capt Kettles at
tention was drawn elsewhere. A hail
came from behind him, formal command
to surrender. He turned and looked up,
ana on the rim of the dunes above saw a
couple of beautifully spick and span gen
darmes, with authority their faces and
swords al their hips.
The retreating doctor matted and lit a
cigarette; the four men in the valley of
the sand stood as if they were frozen; and
the representa- ves of the law advanced
with wooden looks and without hurry.
They were perfect creatures of routine.
But of a sudden a change came over the
group, quick as a scene In a harlequinade;
dust of sand rose in a cloud which slight
ly obscured the view; and when the air
was clear again, there was one OF the
beautiful gendarmes face-downwards on
the ground with Capt Kettle astride Of
his shoulders, while the other stood dazed
like a man waking out of a bad dream,
with his eyes converging upon the muzzle
of Capt Kettles revolver
Now" said Kettle to the duellist. but
without turning his head, wade in, gen
! tlemen, and get your shooting over. I'll
see you are not interfered with"
There was no reply.
by James!" said Capt. Kettle, you'd
| better put bit of hurry into it. or some
| of these beauties friends will be coming
! to look for them, and / can't guarantee
| to keep the whole of France off the prem
| ises'
I'VE are Interrupted said the politician.
! 1--WE have been betrayed! 1t is a device of
nor QVaurs
vengeance.
"Wen, start in right now you goat, and
/ murder him. said Capt Kettle
You have banked me now" said Creve
! bitterly you have squirmed away from
punishment with your usual trickery: but
do not think you shall escape scot-free. l
| shall seek you again when this has blown
over and shall leave my mark upon
! you"
| Then, why in mschef's name don't you
do 1t now?" asked Kettle, sourly you tall
man in the spectacles. I'm speaking to you.
What's stopping you? Why doesn't this
| fight go on? BY James answer me; or
you'll have a new quarrel on hand to keep
you warm
This duel is stopped. sir" said the jour
nalist, because even for the sake of pun
fishing this reptile I cannot consent to un-
dergo dozen years imprisonment. And
that is what it would EMAIL am a known
man. SIR
He iatters himself" sneered NJ. Le-
grand. Not ten people who see daylight
have even heard of him outside his little
garnet office"
And yet" retorted the journalist, "lhe
animal who has just spoken complained
that l have made France ring with his
| name. If you know anything at all about
The circulation of the various Paris news
] papers. sir"
II DON'T said Kettle, land DONE want
to- I dropped in here this afternoon to see
shooting, and I've heard nothing but talk
And if you want my opinion of the pair of
! YOU it's here, packed small: One of you's
frightened, and t other darnt."
Sir" shouted both of the duellists, for
once in their lives agreed
ooh. that wakens you, does it?" said
Kettle.
"Well, then see here. I'm in a way
grown to be interested in this scudie and
I'll make you this offer: Give the whole
thing over into my hands, and I'll see il
through so that it shall be an affair a
man can be proud of afterwards; or re-
fuse. and go away with your tails between
! your legs, and I'll bill-post half France. to
tell everyone that can read you're a pair
there you have it,"
! NJ. Legrand listened unmoved but the
tall man in the spectacles flushed
Sir" he said, you'd better have a care
! FOR Wour words.
Sir" retorted Kettle. 81 allow my VOC
abulary 10 be overhauled by no man liv-
ing"
'fThen, sir" said the journalist. you
viii force me TO call you to account for
your language"
Il shall be entirely at your disposal"
said Kettle grimly, latter l have seen
| you stand up to this gentleman here who
| carries the scent. But not before I have
| an objection to fighting with anyone who
| might turn out to be a v oman in disguise"
THAT, sir" said the journalist, "is quite
sufficient. You Islanders are eccentric
but you will find out that eccentricity NAV
I sometimes cost you dear. I accept your
condition of arranging my duel with NJ.
| Legrand merely for the sake Of being able
| TO shoot you afterwards"
Monsieur said Capt Kettle. you are
a man that l am beginning to like And
now, NJ. Legrand, you have heard what
| has been said Are you willing to chin
into this tea party. or are you going to
shuttle away back to your eating and
drinking at Paris, and let me kick you
! before you go?'
NJ. Legrand shook his cheeks.
! "You English pig" he cried ssT will