26 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



The regiment was in garrison, and at a race-ball a 

 trifling misunderstanding occurred between a young 

 Ensign and a country gentleman. It was, however, 

 instantly adjusted. A few days afterwards, some intem- 

 perate expressions which had fallen from the gentleman 

 at the ball were reported to the Mad Major. These 

 he considered as reflecting upon the character of his 

 corps, and he despatched the senior Captain for an 

 explanation. The answer to this demand was unsatis- 

 factory, and the Captain was directed to deliver a hostile 

 message. The officers of the " Half Hundred " were 

 a brave body — they vainly endeavoured to make it a 

 regimental affair, and insisted that the person to resent 

 the insult should be indiflterently selected (by lot) from 

 the corps. 



" Gentlemen, I thank you," said the Mad Major, 

 as he struck his broad hand upon the mess-table. 

 " Your motives are personally kind — but as I am at the 

 head of this regiment, I hold myself to be the 

 conservator of its honour." 



That evening the Major had a violent attack of gout, 

 to which for years he had been a martyr — but he con- 

 cealed it carefully, and when his friend called him on 

 the morning, he was found dressed and powdered, but 



unable to move without assistance. Captain M 



pressed upon him the necessity of postponing the 

 meeting, or permitting another officer to be his sub- 

 stitute ; but Denis was immovable in his resolve. He 

 proceeded to the ground, and, supported by a crutch, 

 after a discharge of pistols, received a satisfactory apology. 

 Poor fellow ! this was his last feat. Exposure to the 

 cold of a damp spring morning brought on a renewed 

 attack of gout — that night the disorder settled in his 

 stomach — and the morning after he was a corpse. 



