The National tribune., 1901-04-25

editor did not know what was on the
Doardi that he had meant no offense when
he wrote il, and that he, the Colonel, had
challenged an innocent man.
1hen,' said the man of terrible deeds,
you confess that you alone are responsi-
bic for the INSULT"
Yes. sir; | am" he responded, and his
eyes sought the floor, not daring to raise
| them until he should know his fate.
The Colonel eyed the boy closely, no.
ticing, the changing color. He saw the
terrible thoughts that We're passing
nearer, and assuming a ferocious attitude,
said: Then, sir, / shall hold you per-
sonally responsible, and you will have to
| fight me-
For moment the boy was in mental
| agony. He thought OF his home, of his
mother, who was a widow, and he her
only son; how she would feel when she
heard he had been killed, what would she
do without him. He made another des-
perate attempt to arrange matters, but
the great man raised his hand as il to
push him away, and said: That will
do"
THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
The boys feet began to get cold and
his head hot. 4 dead silence pervaded
the room. A moment later he raised his
head; he looked his antagonist straight in
th- LhtlS was IlO SYMPATHY uO MERCY
there. Then drawing himself up TO his
full hight, while outwardly there ap-
peared no emotion, apparently every nerve
IN his body was as quiet and peaceful as
when six weeks before he had recited his
last lesson-20 verses in the New Testa-
ment-in the home Sunday school, he
said: Col. Thompson, | know nothing
about dueling; | never saw a duel. l
know nothing of the use Of deadly weap-
ons: but if you will give me "a hours to
practice, / will be ready to meet either
of you"
Loud, boisterous laughter greeted this
remark, which extended to the Generals
room. The strong man reached down and
seized him by the hand and led him by
force into the presence OF the General and
several visitors who were with him.
Here" said he, sis gamey little cuss
who offers to fight me if | will give him
"a hours TO practice" More loud laugh
ter followed a flood of questions, who he
was, where he came from, etc, but he
answered them not q word. His lips
were sealed. He was too much in earn
est TO be trified with. His smothered
excitement began to react, and the
moment the iron grasp was released he
left the room. They, however, related
the incident in the hotel and in the clubs,
and it was repeatedly told about town;
but he would not get over his bitterness
toward those two men. He refused to
dine with them or have anything to do
with them.
1t will be remembered that this Amer
lean flibusteriEg expedition to conquer
Central America was a failure. Gen.
Walker had declared war against Nicara-
qua, was successful for a time declared
himself the head of the Supreme provis-
ional Government of the Republic of
Nicaragua, signed himself "Wm. Walker,
Commander-in-Chief. Phi. r. Thompson,
4 into A a
last long. Gen. Walker and his army
were defeated, and it was Immediately af-
ter expulsion from that country and his
arrival at New Orleans that the trouble
Just mentioned occurred. Later on | will
refer briefly to this episode.
WINNING A MEDAL OF HONOR.
Four years passed after this incident
had occurred. The horizon was red with
war. 1t was in April, 1861, that Rand re-
turned from the South, when we together
became soldiers and together we marched
side by side in the war. At Blackburn's
Ford, Va, l saw him when he refused to
retreat with his command when ordered
TO do so. The order was given on ac-
count of the deadly range of the encmy's
artillery, which was masked on the banks
of Bull Run. Infantry, also masked,
poured in a deadly fire.
He would not move until the entire bat
IhlOn ol DOO men udu Dt'eU swept III QIS-
order from the field. He seemed not to
notice the dead and wounded; he was OBJ
lvious to his surroundings, but yet held
ais ground with an old Harper's Ferry
musket that had been changed from a
flnt-lock. The ground was plOughed in all
directions by shell and solid shot, The
only injury he received was from flying
dirt and stones. The enemy ut this time
seemed to pity him, and finally refused to
fire on him. Even then he would not fall
back, but worked his way across a deep
ravine, where he found the command of
Capt. Barnum, later Gen. H. A. Barnum,
who were "a their faces, firing, not being
able to risa to their knees TO load. but
turning on their backs for that purpose.
He crept up to them on his knees, ioiued
the line, and fought with it to the end of
the engagement. This gallantry won him
the medal Of honor.
! was with him in every battle from
Bull Run to the Seven Days Battle be-
fore Richmond. By my side at Gainss's
Mill he fell, musket ball crushing
through his body, mashiug his right shout
der to Jelly. / saw him rise to his feet,
the lifsblood squirting into his eyes and
cars. saw him seize a clod OF earth
and cram IL into his wound, trying to
stanch the flow. Later l heard him re-
fuse to ride in an ambulance, saying:
That wagon is needed for those who
ant walk" | saw him the next morning
after the battle, without coat or hat, the
balance OF his clothing & mass Of con-