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Show 1 THE MAJOirS DUEL. H J ' Tbo flaffthlp Mirtlng.nlt. of the Homo H I Attantlaaqaotlrun, wu tuoortxl In (lit bcnaiifal h.vbor ot Ulo Janeiro. Tl m , w, fUgof IUr Admiral Sauaompott Hew m I i from tbo mlurn truck. Tlie vr bo H tj tvrecn Uratil nt I'urntfnn vu jro- H ' . 4t (rronatnj; olowljr, bat am It ftflvetotl inuijr H ( t lutttMU of forclf ncrt domiciled In both H j t coautri, Urgo Dntnbor of warnhli H ' were on tba South Aumlwn caist, ami H ,C the tnotroiolti of Draill vtu (jay vrlth i 7 unlforuu and Ihjo coiutaMit foatlvttloi i. euniteqncnt upon the promiice of o H M xoujr itruigeri. H. Tbodyof duolliur were pant. The , larger courtoer coaMqueiit upuit buttif SodiiCAtion, end m inoro cartful regard for personal rlf hti, had racticall con dotnned It, and the naral and mil I tar rpgaUtiotwof all uatiow rtinUiiiwl Tere panaJtia for Iti eaertiae. The night waa calm, dark and itarloM, and Uio Martingale lay lUtlwtaljr at Uut auichon off the plaia Ian ling The ofilor of the deck IwunfffJ over H tbo capntan and thoagbt of home and H j, lunged for hie Intcruatinfr watch to bo H I ocr. The band hol retiAvd Ita orcnlng ) J I concert and had Iweo dlsmlMad. The H , cliarmlog atralne of ttie old time ' tattoo M J . i with llfee and drum had died away. r )n . 'Two belU" had been truck, anl the Hf ' bontawaln and hU niatoa had 'ptpotl H' f , t down," Ltshti bad ben rrjorted out, l K I aud a perfeet etillnone euccocdod thoitlr ? i ' I made by 4U0 meu, who had retired to LHl I their haojuocka, Ht j "Boat aboyr aaaf out Uio quart cr- H' matter, "float coming altOKH air; Ht v can't make out tho iiur." Tlio nu H Jf,st' eengerboy wltbalautern flow over the H fi aTnftw7 nad down tie ladder, and ioon H . abrlik, dapper tittle man came on Imard H' 1 ' and nrraeaUxl blnuelf to theoQIcer of H . Uh deck with a graceful aalute, Hi ! "Rlr,"ald he, "permit me to intro- H( 1 duoemyndf. 1 am llaron KnockofT, of Hf the Uuulan legation, an 1 1 hare hail a Hf t j pergonal difUoulty ulth a DmxtllAn Rrn H! I I tlemanon ahore 1 am nolng to ehoot H hliu In tbo morning. We havonollti H . alan ahlp In jwrt, atd relying upon tho BHi friendahlp that axlU betwoon our na s tlonandtheUM,tdBUU,l bavecomo H on tard to ank oue of our ofllceri to H, act aa my eoooud. Ia Major IlaudaU on Kj. boardr kaamffi Tlie cDlcr of the deck woVo up In an Ilu&UntI Here waaaAineiubchlef out of the common lino, and bo could eccnt aome fun In tho air that would relluro the tedium of hla Hatch with a en goanre. mm, , Uruping the bartm by the hand he c ahook It warntly, dell re rod a brief ad B L dreu to him reciprocating hi friendly Htjli aeutlmenU, and auured him Uiat be Bf bad oame to the right place anl at tlw Hr V right time to get accommodated Un j t ortuuaudy tlie HHnt major of marlnea wa on ihore, but might uturn at any raonwni. Something mutt be done to keep the baron amused for thoprtaeut, Hi ao the officer of the deck tang outt H J 1 Orderly, aak the captain U 1 can boo H '" blm.- gggfl - i VaitaJn Toraplon had eaten an rz 1 celleat dinner, Tho better part of throo bottloeef claret hat dluipeirod down hie throat, and he waa at peace with all the world. Ue belonged to tho fighting . men of the "old nary, an 1 any hint of H a fight waa music to his ears To him Hj appeared the offlaer of tho deck, w H I tho little barou lu tow, i air," said he, "I hare great pUasnro tl In iutroduilog to you Uaron KnockotT, u of the Itojutan dlrlotnaUo service lie H w boa had a personal dlnlculty Ith a lira 3 ! sill an on ahore, and as there are no Has Hn sian officers here he has come on board Q i ' to ask one of, ours to act a his atcond gH ' i 1 hareajumre! bira of ouraympathyand iaaslatance, aad be dewlrM tocoiumlt m 1th 1 you and await the return of Major Kan eUU, who U en shore " 1 ' UnpUra Torn pi on was on fire In an In ; sunt. Shaking the baron warmly by HH the hand, be song out: Steward, n hot H tie of cliamiMtrne Baron, bo acatol T Orderly, caU the firtt lieutenant and tell if htm that I wish tosco hlia Going to K. shoot him in the moralng, eh, barou Ki IlIeM my soul, this seems like old tlmiu, K'i InJoed! BUud by you? Of coune, w d?f ' will, my boy, Ilaro another glass of BK i 'HO Steward, cigars " B r lieutenant Lawrence, tbo first lieu V'tjt, triiaut, came up the hatch tall, sttm, Bj erect ua a soldier aud poised Into the IHlt' cabin. The popping of corks ensued, H i aud the oonferttui.e tvgau BE ! The oftlcer of the deck caught a strny Sf ! j - motatuwte and tent him to the wardroom HH witli the story, and soon an Interested HBn group KAtbored on tho quarter dock, SgH ' I'll emcorl) awaiting development Bffjfi j 'Such punUhimntoa a court martial Vf nu"r Jiudi:o uaybu inflicted on our i :' ' Hi! jm person In the nary who fr nds or accrjiU a cliallenge to fight nMnel or ncU as a second In a duel " This I the language of the article of war which were framed to rrguWte the conduct of three gallant ofliccra who wero aiding and abetting the baron. The ofner of the deck wss summoned to theconfere noe During the continued tuo of champagne It waa delcnnlned that It waa a solemn moral duty to stand b Ihn baron, and another bottle waaoptncil Still tlie missing major came not. Tlmt wa.i pa&aing Souicthing must be d6no, ao I leutcnant McKlllcn wa sent for AfUr ling Introduced to the baron anl hearing tbo cae, the car lain In f onnod the lieutenant that our honor wai at stake and that ho would havo th high i rlrllege of acting as the baroni second when, just at this Juncture, Major Ma-jor Itandall came on toanC tt llh a flower in Ms buttonhole, 1 it coat thrown back from his ami 1 cheat humming a poinlar air from tho' (Irani Duchess" anl apparently at poaco with all the worl 1, the gallant fleet tnarlnt officer stej pwd from tho outer darkncsi upon the ijuarUr deck. JIowm troU ably tho moat peaceful warrior In the world at that timo. Uorn-ctln bablta, mild anl gentlo In demeanor, a it ha pro foan 1 retitect for regulations and n great care not to break them, he necmed to be tho list person In tho world to ovtist In a duiL Uion him tounved the officer of the deck Major," raid ho, "prepare your mini for something very strlous. ou will require all your fortitude for a painful and trying dutyt one that yoa mutt jir fonn for the honor and credit of tho Hag and of the un I form you wear and be fort thOMtonlshed soldier coul I utter a word tho deck o Alter nubed him Into Hit cabin ' Oh, major, yoa aro Jnst in time. You havo Jut come trr near to losing n chanro to dUllnguIih youm If In u avrl ous matter Ilaro n k'ou of wino." Bo Bpoko Ci tain Tom j Ion, Mhllo the baron shook him elTuslrely by tho ban L Tlio matter In quoMioii was txi 1 allied to tho major, while the ra tain an 1 tht first lieutenant Imprtssetl ujion him hli duty In the case. Lieutenant McKlllcn who was now out of the fight, took great t Icasure In helping tho major with lrlrnllyahice,whiletbostewardoiicn(.d another lot tie of chainjtAgno, What pruMd through the piclflo mind of the soldier no one know at that time Jf he mentally lohel 1 n rUlon of a gory field of battle, with cno or poailbly Utl comUitants strctchutl upon tho gror woundeil or dead, If ho thought of h own arrest and trial Uforg a con martial, ho gare no sign of VM fcelln . On the contrary, like ono waking from n sleep, he suddenly exclaltnod, llaron I will act for you in this tara with much lleasurc I am nuito at yonrecnlc," and after each had shaken him solemnly by tho land, they alt look a drink. It won getting late. Tlio major, laj Inn nothing to any one, carefully nrra)td himself in hU best uniform coat, and Accompanied Ac-companied tho baron on shore Tlie noxt morning an Intense but quiet eiUtcment pvrraded tho nf Ur part of tht ship. lu low voice the ofilcers dUcuMod Hit matter In rilliu Uvuings. Hal tin duel come off anl tho major secreted himself until ho coul 1 orado tho author! tics on shoro An 1 est i to the shlj ? la I tho combntauU gone a long distance Into the country and not yet ruturned1 Hueli queries were dUctuwd pro an 1 con, and still no major came, Hrealfbt paMol. Quarter, an 1 no inajur, Lunch, an I he was still at cut. Every boat was scanned for a sight of hU stalwart form unl gonial face. At last it waa rtolrrl to ttnd a delegation on alioro to look him up, when, just at they were a Unit to start, a tost came alongside, and tht major stepped on deck. Ills countenance was solemn, almost stotld la Ita expreaaion, HU coat waa bnttonod up Awrr nud as unbriuhisl Hlsuaeally reKplendttnt shore aereun pollshnd, but drawing Ms form to ltt full hilght he aaluu-d theofllcerof the deck In a military manner and dellbcr ntely said, Sir, I have returned nlaard " Making a half face to tho hft ho pro cceded to tho hatch And carefully win! bvlow, HUoxpecUnt measmatea were In tht Vtsrdrvom lu force to hear the nous. Whether ho v,m the lioarrr of tragid words or whether of chetrful ones wai thoquetitlon. Tlie hero seated hlmiclt at the table, and all gathered around After a moment or ttlunco tho majot spoko as follows) Ifonyof Touftllows want to tight a dutl, call on mo to act for ou. I can do It riht vrury llmo." llow was It, inajorr" How dl I it come out?" What dl 1 you do- Snch questions cams In fatvL The major (ulled himself together, called for a glaan of water ou 1 anid, Sit dow u, geutlcmuu, and I will Ull you all about it." "Messtnates," le began, "judging from my dilapidated nppearnnco anl my somowhnt Intorruptod iprech, ou may lmagino that 1 am tho Jctim of griif, or of a hurried flight f nun n tragic scene I leg to awiro you thot It I not so. Tliere is nothing the matter with mo but conviviality, nud Hhat of tho strangest klnh 1 hereby nnow my offtr to act as a second lu any further dmli that may torou our v,a) , an 1 tho major leaned back In his chair an 1 pat ted his swelling breast appnivlngty, 1 need not tell yon, gentlemen, that when 1 started ashore last night with tho baron 1 could not too my w a) out of wlat promise 1 to boiitery sirlous serai After rt aching the baron's room, mur a bottle of clumpugno, he gavo mo his case, ltrecms that at a ball tho previous pre-vious erenlng the Brazilian gentleman spoken of by the boron had t,h en hint of ftne by somethlug that he h 1 1 sal 1, and the baron won detormlued to demand eat I .faction. He waa ready to tight at U)II;ht with cither sword or j Utol. I ut onco di man Jed that m irlnclpal kliQull put himself iinrescrredly Into my h indt, and be (,ournel by any or-rangeimnts or-rangeimnts that I sboull inaku Por-tunntely Por-tunntely 1 knew the Brazilian vull, aud as tho barou tuilr-ted on hate In the mattor, 1 procecslcd at onco on my mis aion, ulthough it waa aflcr mi ltillit, "1 A&sumtd a severe ei pre Ion of countenance, and summon the H rural Un to a coufcrvneo from hit bod He ri Ired me very courteously, but oi priMKil somo surj rio at so hte a call, I said, My dear air, ou ha0(,icn great oAene to my frien 1, Barou Kiixk oil, and ho ha-i desired mo to demand satisfaction of you ' rhogcuthmanwasgnith turprUod, Cd eatd that hu kuuv "- "- v-.. well, And regarded him &s one J hi frien Is; an 1 was utterly unronvijus ot giring Mm offenso at the time mention cd, An 1 tHt tho baron waa mistaken He Mil that ho bad no de-dre to fight without cau. and that In this cam lit SAW ttO C4UM, "1 thought this wm a good time to get InabliuT lean only say that It did not work I utl with a frown 'Am I It understand Uiat ourofiuolotneet rn frleinir ' iho result wai not jnt ivhatl inttcl pated The Brazilian gtntloman jampod upanliAfdi " Vou can tell llaron Knock off that 1 hall shoot the top of his bend off if h gttctno jutt cause, and tint I won) stand a -j) nonsense About It Lit) er ' Ho), 1 came tiftar falling oT mj chair, ALd it took about half on h ar to pacify the ftlljvr At hst ho cooled ofl And ofK-nwl n snail V-tHe "Alter somo talk hj said bo did not know wht re t loik for a aeton 1 At thai time of the night and at last ho asked my a lvice In tho matter 'You Aro a military man, nil he 'anl aro nccuitomed to these affalrs-hatdo)ou affalrs-hatdo)ou adrlsof "I answered that 1 thought that If hi won!) wrtto n nolo to tbo latrnii dla claiming any Intuition of giving oTinw 1 coral 1 arrange the milter He said Tint woull took like mi apology I won t np'ilniil') to any man that haoh mo out of bed like this. I would rathei Igb hint 1 hutcned to assure Mm that he hal mil taken my meaning MWclleld he, )oq write out tneb a noto At you think I ought to send and w o will eno how It looks. bo I wrote out a pacino note, ex -easing regiit that tho barou ha 1 taken dfense.Ant stating thai iiouowas in ten led "Tho Ilrulllin real the note ard aaiJ hi dl 1 not 111 o It At last lie sal 1 Major, you are n military man, If you were In my i laoo woull ou sign thai "Boys, I meant all I sail when 1 an iwrred, '1 certainly w oul 1 ' So ho signed tho note nnd nfte- rnn tualexireMlontof goodwill, I letumcl to tho baron. "I f .mi I Mm with n Iwttloof wlnol. forohlm smoking a cigar Ho jumped tip when I tntenl and sal It " tt til, major, whlLh it It, sworda cr lUtoli "Baron, aald I deliberately, ! an tbebt'Hnr of a communication to you from your antagonist to which 1 ben your earnest attention.' I handed Mm tho uoto, which he read with a frown on blifaco. Ho throw II downonthotahl and said 'The fellow-It fellow-It trj Ing to get out of thU thing I won't Acorf,thiinotn.' I nt onco ii raw and buttoned up my coat 'Baron, aald 1 wllh all tho dignity dig-nity 1 coul 1 a in me, 'I will rimlnd yoa Uiat you put youmelf unreservedly lu my bandit. la lew of your remark la reference to this tioto I must at onci withdraw from this unfair,' "'My dear fellow, sail tho baron, MontboofTindedt Ictus talk this mat ter over Ito rood tho noto oaln, an I after aome conversation ho asked, 'Major, 'Ma-jor, you are a military man: if you wert lit my i lace woul 1 you occrr, t this liote? "I can Again assure you, 1 relhren thai I spoko with much Cdlng when 1 an swvml, ! certainly would. ' Then I will accept It, said tho buron. 'Wo will go and get the gmtlcinan tip, an 1 shike hatida over a bottle of w Ino.' "tto dll ao.anl haro boon shaking liau U In the same con Utlon over since. ' V), gentlemen, bring all )our dueli to urn. 1 will bo ) our Rocon 1," aal 1 tht major. It waa at onco oted that for bravery an 1 tllj lomncy tho major took tho priro. Cuinmodorc Rockwell, U. E N,, la Ilarpor'j Wtikly. |