The Calumet news., 1911-11-08

But for one thing the officer would
have offered Il humble apology. That
was the champion. a spirit of rivalry
took possession of him. Who was this
man who was TO stand in defense Of
the woman who had so impressed
him? Was he IA lover a brother or n
friend? In any event, could he, an
Englishman-the proudest race on
earth-apologize for taking liberty
with one born in land recently ac-
quired from savages?
Tell your mistress" he said TO the
negro. "that will communicate with
her as soon rs my duties as soldier
will permit"
On his return to camp Arbuckle
found that the command had got wind
of the Swamp Fox" and had gone in
chase of him. TarletOn had left an or
der for the captain to remain in the
camp in command of small guard
left there till the expedition returned.
This left him an opportunity to take
care of the matter he had in hand. He
wrote Margaret that since he had
learned that she had champion the
fight must come off before any apology
could be made. He was impatient to
throw himself Mt her feet to implore
her pardon; therefore he desired the
affair should be settled as soon as pos
sible. Besides. he was now free from
any duty that would Interfere with its
soft lnn1pnf ANnt1l6 che Los r,n
pion to name an early date, place,
weapons and other details?
A reply came that she felt delicacy
In the identity Of the man who was to
defend her being known; therefore she
stipulated that he should fight masked
The time would be that evening ut sun
set, in a clearing back of her fathers
house, the weapons to be cavalry
swords. There were to be no seconds
Her slave. Jim, who bore her messages.
would be present as witness.
To the masking Arbuckle declined TO
assent unless assured that her cham
pion was not a blood relative, and
when thus assured he agreed TO be on
hand at the appointed hour.
lie found his enemy waiting for him.
The man was tall and slender. being
dressed in citizens costume of the day,
a broad tailed cutaway coat and
breeches, buff waistcoat. white stock
ings, large shoe buckles and a pow
dered peruke. His mask was of black
velvet, with lace at and below his
mouth.
jim. the colored slave. stood near
with n saber under an arm and a
small box containing articles to stop
the flow Of blood in the other. He
handed Arbuckle a saber. and the lat
ter advanced to the spot where his
enemy was standing. But before put
ting himself in a posture for defense
he said to jim:
I'm case | am denied an opportunity
to crave your mistress pardon by be-
ing killed i'm this fight | desire you to |
assure her that had l lived | would !
have done so.
"Tll do dat, sah," said Jim, 40 I |
reckon yo' gwine fo' TO get killed. De
man wild de udder sword mighty fine |
fencer. He killed.
A suppressed exclamation of dissat-
isfaction from the champion stopped |
this attempt to frighten the captain,
and the principals in the affair, ad-
vancing toward each other, began to
fence. Notwithstanding Jlm's enco-
miums the unknown at once proved
himself no match for his opponent.
Arbuckle. perceiving this, stood strict
ly on the defensive, not desiring that
blood should be spilled in such
cause.
He was beginning to be amused at
the bungling thrusts and parties made
by his opponent when an accident hap