FRONTIERSMAN AND SOLDIER 239 



and came near shooting him " at sight." Sevier had 

 alluded to the circumstances of his marriage. Ten 

 years afterward, for a similar offence, though compli- 

 cated with other matters in the course of a long 

 quarrel, he fought a duel with Charles Dickinson, a 

 young lawyer of Nashville. The circumstances were 

 such as to show Jackson's wonderful nerve and rare 

 skill in grazing danger. Each man meant to kill the 

 other, and Dickinson was called the most unerring 

 marksman in all that country. It is said that on the 

 way to the place of meeting, as Dickinson and his 

 friends stopped at a tavern for lunch, he amused him- 

 self by severing a string with his bullet, and pointing 

 to the hanging remnant, said to the landlord as he 

 rode away, " If Andrew Jackson comes along this 

 road, show him that ! " It was in much more serious 

 mood that Jackson, as he made the journey, discussed 

 with Overton, his second, the proper course to pursue. 

 It was decided that, as Dickinson would surely have 

 the advantage in a quick shot, it would be best to let 

 him fire first, and then take deliberate aim at him. 

 When all had arrived upon the ground, at the given 

 signal Dickinson instantly fired. It has been thought 

 that his aim may have been slightly misled by Jack- 

 son's extreme slenderness and the loose fit of his coat. 

 Instead of piercing his heart, the ball broke the rib 

 close by and made an ugly wound, which, however, 

 no one observed. It was a moment of sore astonish- 

 ment for Dickinson when he saw .his grim adversary 

 still standing before him. Jackson's trigger had 

 stopped at half cock, but he skilfully raised it into 

 position again, and at his fire Dickinson fell mortally 

 wounded. It was not until they had gone more than 



