DUEL 125 



man to sanction the practice ; but on my naming the 

 officer of Marines whom we both knew, and who 

 happened to pass on horseback while we were under 

 the gateway, a note was instantly despatched to him. 

 He then asked me to lend him or get him a pair of 

 pistols ; this I also refused, but told him where they 

 could be procured. They were sent for and approved, 

 and on the arrival of his friend they, much to my 

 satisfaction, wishing me a ,good night, walked away 

 together. 



I felt it then to be my duty as a civilian to give 

 information of the intention of the two interested parties 

 to the magistrates, which I could easily have done, and 

 that meeting would have been prevented. But how 

 should I have stood with my naval and military acquaint- 

 ance ? They knowing that I, and I only, as a disinterested 

 party, was in the secret, I could not escape detection ; and 

 my pride would not allow me to forego the honour of 

 associating with them. Moreover, instigated by curiosity, 

 I had a mind to see the issue. I therefore in the morninsf 

 saddled my horse before daylight, and in less than half- 

 an-hour reached the spot where the two combatants had 

 already arrived, with their seconds, in two post-chaises — 

 the artillery officer accompanied by a surgeon. I dis- 

 mounted, and, fastening my horse to a stake in a hedge, 

 had a view of the whole affair. 



At the first shot my friend's bullet grazed his adver- 

 sary's cheek, taking with it his whisker. Not satisfied 

 Avith this, he insisted upon another shot, when he received 

 my friend's charge in his side, and fell, his opponent 

 escaping unhurt. Upon approaching him, he did not 



