The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-05-30
INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF
DUEL AND WILD GOOSE HUNT.
One of the Most Unusual Incidents in Western
Waters That Happened on the
Missouri River.

swarm of fireflies and fell into the
waters that were upturned to foam
from the revolutions of the wheels
and glistened in the simmer of a
new moon. The captain piped his
musicians aloft and there the minuet
was danced on the hurricane deck.
It must be admitted that in the early
times the southerner excelled in the
movements that make the minuet the
dance of the court. On this night
the tropical types were the favorites.
The Prussian, unaccustomed to the
conventionalities of the new country,
showed resentment when his partner
failed to receive the same admira-
tion that was unmistakably given to
the Queen of the South. There was
no attempt to soothe the Prussian's
irritation, and he sent challenge to
the Hidalgo.
The watchful captain kept pace
with all that was transpiring. His
sleeplessness prevented what would
have been a thriller, even in that
conservative time-a duel on the
hurricane deck abaft the wheel-hous-
es. Personally the captain would
have enjoyed witnessing a meet
where wounded honor sought satis-
faction, but the reputation of his
craft was more than personal graft
fication. He summoned the seconds
to his quarters and informed him
that if the proposed duel was held he
would call up his roustabouts, seize
the principals and all concerned and
pitch them overheard. The Hidalgo
saw the humor of the possibility and
thought he would enjoy it, but the
Prussian was so shocked that he sent
word to the captain that if such a
termination followed he would ap-
peal to his emperor. The captain
was not alarmed by the threat, but
he wished to appease the Prussian
while he was passenger. A confer
ence was called and the commander
of the steamer submitted a PROPOSE
ton that had the virtue of being so
unique that it was agreed to.
The steamer would the next day
round a bend off which stretched a
great expanse of sand bar. The bar
was the rendezvous of wild geese and
brant every spring. They stopped in
innumerable focks that were the
wonder of the new travellers in the
west. The captain informed his bel
ligerent party that it was customary
at the season then at hand for steam
ers to slow down at the bar and give
sportsmen on board chance at the
flocks, with the understanding that
all game that was brought down was
to be served to passengers. He pro-
posed to slow down, lower the yawl
and send it ashore with as many as
could get in. The dueling party
would be sent first. There was cot
tonwood grove half mile from the
water line. Thither the duelists and
party could go and "have it out"
while the game hunters we're making
shots on the sand. In case of fatality
in the cottonwoods the captain would
accord all honors necessary. This
would entail publicity and explana-
tions. On the other hand, after honor
had been satisfied the party could
return, and unless they cared to pro-
claim the affair the passengers would
never know but that the party had
"gaming for geese in the
woods The little captain chuckled
as he put it as quoted. The Prussian
WINGED, but the proposition was ac-
cepted.
The result was as the captain an
ticipated. The party from the cot
tonwood grove returned unscathed.
The geese hunters returned with game
and the passengers had birds the re-
mainder of the voyage. The cot
tonwood party was served that night
by the captain in his quarters. The
queens were invited and when the
wine was quaffed the two beauties
were told that they had contributed
to the most unusual incident, that
ever happened in western waters.
The other passengers were ignorant
of the real meaning of the wild goose
hunt on the bar that day.
The Prussian and the man from the
south disembarked at Ft. Leaven-
worth on the arrival of the steamer
at that port-the Prussian to make
observations for his government on
army matters at that post, the Ameri-
can to proceed on his way across the
continent, and thence across the Pa
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