.SERIOUS FRACAS. 



379 



slaves was about to carry a message to some 

 distance, he told him to ride the officer's horse. 

 He went, — and the owner was informed of this ; 

 he waylaid the slave, and took the horse from 

 him. The planter heard the next day, that the 

 officer had expressed to many persons a wish to 

 meet him, however no notice was taken of this. 

 As he rode on the following morning to see his 

 workmen, he saw the captain in the path on 

 horseback talking to a mulatto man. The planter 

 spoke to him, saying that he wished to pass, 

 which he could not do unless he moved, and 

 mentioning at the same time that he was in- 

 formed of his wish to see him. The captain 

 spurred his horse towards his adversary, attempt- 

 ing at the same moment to draw his sword ; but 

 this he did not do with ease, from some entangle- 

 ment of the belt. The other man drew his, 

 which was inclosed in a walking-stick, and rode 

 up to him, putting the point close to his breast, 

 thus showing him how easily he might by this 

 unforeseen advantage have taken his life. The 

 mulatto man had now recovered from his asto- 

 nishment, and ran in between the horses, striking 

 them and driving them asunder. They still 

 remained for some minutes in high words ; but 

 the captain had not, as was afterwards well 

 known, supposed that the other was armed, and 

 therefore his ardour for the combat had now 

 cooled considerably. 



