The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-06-06

THAT is due to the difference between
duelling and target shooting. The wea-
pons are of the best, Gostyle Renett being
the maker, and cost 800 francs per pair.
They are new; must not have been pre-
viousy used. They are muzzle-loaders,
and are loaded by the seconds. New pis-
tolls tend to impair shooting and diminish
injury, as one is unfamiliar with them
and with the necessary trigger pressure,
though this is always, as nearly as pos
sible, the same. The usual distance is
twenty-five PAGES. The two positions are
selected as equal as possible with regard
to the sunglare, the alignment of a tree
or anything that can assist the shot, and
the selection is then determined by the
toss of a coin. The two combatants, af-
ter having been examined to see that
there is nothing in their pockets to stop
a bullet, take their places. They turn
up the collars of their coats-the black
frock coat is the conventional garb-so
that no white spot like the collar can as
sist the adversary's aim.
They stand sdewise, offering each
other as small a mark as possible their
faces being turned toward each other.
Now, in target shooting in gallery
one has the perpective of a narrow sale
to assist him. and he may also crook his
elbow and take aim. In a duel these ad-
pistol cooked, hangs at his side, fully ex-
tended The director asks; Gentlemen,
are you. ready?' Both answer, Yes The
director then says, 'Fire-One, two,
three Both combatants must fire after
the word. One and before the word
Three Consequently, one can only
raise his Strengthened arm and
fire without aim. 1t thus re-
suits that even good pistol shots some
four.
times without injury on either side.
You said that Count Boni's debut on
the field in his duel with you was unus-
ually successful?'
Boni a Remarkable DueIist.
Yes Ones first duel is very trying for
several reasons. In the first place, one is
going to put his life in jeopardy, and this
Is more or less troubling to the mind at
the start. Secondly, one is accustomed to
the springy floor of a saile d'armes I'M
derneath his feet and in his duel he has
turf, which does not spring and does not
slip. This of itself is a great trial and
affects the nerves. Thirdly, in a fencing
school touches on the arms and hands do
not count The only touches counted are
those upon the breast or body. in the
sale one is always aiming at the breast;
upon the ground he is forced to aim at
the arm, and this is new to him. Count
Boni, however, had practiced constantly
with the sword and pistol under actual
duelling conditions and acquitted himself
like an old hand
What is your real opinion of the duel
as a social institution
1T is always absurd and must be so
because 1t proves nothing. At the same
time, it has it's good sides. 1t enforces
courtesy among men and in society. When
a man must answer upon the field for
everything he says in salon. cafe or his
column in a newspaper he is careful 20
measure his words and think cautiously
over his conduct Moreover, in France it
places men upon an equality who would
otherwise be very unfairly matched. If a
man insults your wife and your only re-
course is knocking him down, he may
be so far your superior physically, that
your defense of our wife brings you a
thrashing. With sword or pistol, how
ever, you are his equal Consequently bull
lying is almost unknown.
DuelIing "A Serious Business.
Bullying duellists do not exist 1 should
say. Duelling is a serious business after
all, and a bully surrounded by men who
are ready and willing to fight sooner or
later comes TO grief. Clemenceau, Cassag-
nae. Gerault-Richard, Rochefort. the
most famous duellists of to-day in
France, never seek a quarrel They know
more about duelling than most men, and
are more deeply impressed with its i'm
portance."
From which It would appear that the
modern French duellist fulils O'Hallor-
ans tribute to his bulldog, when he said:
Hes a serious dog. HE never fights Tor
fun. 1t would be beneath him"