The daily Alaskan., 1905-06-06
AN EVEN CHANGE
 WITH DEATH
loriginaLl

valuable scientific Facts.
 The officers of one Of the volunteer regiments were reganng themselves tn Havana, where the command was sent after the surrender of Santiago, celc- brating the results Of the campaign. During the evening the regimeut0l sur geon. Major Norris, deliberately insult ed a young lieutenant. Bcrtram, who was sitting opposite him at table. Ser tram was surrounded ly number of junior officers, Norris by several sur geons who happened to De on duty at Havana at the time and wao had been Invited to participate in the festivities. Norris accused Boruam of coWardioe before Santiago. Since Bcrtram bore an uneNceptionable rccOrd-his compan- ions were astonishcG at the doctors charge. Bertram left the table and sent one of them to demand a rc,roc- ton. It was refused, and he sent challenge. The doctor agreed Co give satisfaction, but as the challenged par ty demanded the privilege Of choosing the method Of the contest He declared that his method would Involve certain ly the death Of one of the antagonists and stipulated that Bcrtram should sign an agrecment before knowing of the terms to accept them. This Der tram was obliged tO do or remain un- der the ban of cowardice, When ihe prcllminaries were completed and the paper was signed Norris made known his way Of fighting. Two pellets the one harmless, the other containing prus- sic acid in concentrated form, would be placed in a cup. The principals should each draw and swallow a pellet.
 Some Of Bertram's brother officers becsed him to refuse to fight on the terms on account of their unmiitary character. but he suffered So severely under the surgeons aspcrSionS tha< he declared he would rather run one chance in two of death than live under obloQuy. He fulhncd his agreement and after the dinuer was over party of officers, including an the surgeons who had sat together at table, the two principals and two Of Bcrtram's com pauy, assembled in a room above where the banquet had been held, ready for the duel
 Norris chose one of the surgeons and Bertram another to prepare the pellets, both agreeing that the major Of the regiment act as supervising umpire The three retired tO an adjoining rNom, where they were gone a long while. There was evidently a want oi har- mony among them. and the majors voice could be heard raised in protest, the words certain death" being dis tinctly audible. While this was going on Surgeon Norris sat ccolly rcadng a medical journal Bcrtr0m thinking ot that terrible even chance between life and death. The consequence was that when at the end ot an hour the men returned from the other room Eeytram was very nervous,
 "GCntlemcn, are you rcadys' asked the major. who held tho cup.
 Both replied in the affirmative
 This cup" continued the major, contains the pellets, as agreed upon. The surgeons who have prepared them have surrounded the fatal one with wintcrgrcen.'
 He held the cup first to Norris as the ranking officer, who chose a pellet and swallowed it. Bertram, whose hand trcmbied. did the same with the re- maining pellet.
 Presently Norris said:
 "Bertram, I commisCr0tc you. [ cracked my pellet with my teeth, and yet taste nothing
 At the same moment Bcrtram went deadly pale. The outer coating of his pellet had been dissolved and there was a strong flavor ot wintcrgrccn.
 'If you have anything to say" said one of the surgeons, ~l should advise you Co say it quickly. Tho drUE you know, acts instantly, and VIC have al- lowed only ten minutes for its InoloSuc Co be dissolved"
 Bcrtram was standing when he took the pellet, but now the certainty Of death weakened his knees. and he sank back on a lounge One Of those present brought him writing materials with which to write a last message He took the pen, but was unable Co write. Ncv- crthelcSS his pluck was good. "ItwovbS quickly" he said, with some coolDCsS "Tbe nerves of my fingers are a'rcady powerleSs."
 speak what you have to say" said one of the surgeons. Your tongue win soon bc paralyzgd"
 Bertr3m spoke a few words. then found 1t impossible Co aUtigulato fur thcr. He sank lower on the sofa and closed his eyes, The Slrgcon whom De had chosen to prepare tho food Cr death went to him and felt of biS heart.
 "Thc whisky, quickr' hc shouted "Grcat heavens, I'm afraid hes r7nc~'
 Whisky had been ko9t ai hguL ao, h:lf a um5lcr was rou0yd down tA licutcnantS throat
 "l SIy, Bcrtram," criod the >urgc,u you ale mistaken, You have nat swat lowed poiSou~'
 Bcrram slowly opened his eyes avE 70 q d