A REMARKABLE DUEL.

Kumara Times, Issue 1381, 5 March 1881, Page 2

A REMARKABLE DUEL.

An old East Indian officer, in giving some reminiscences in Chambers' Journal, tell this-story:—Tain ton's regiment was stationed at the Straits (Singapore, Malacca and Penang), but he , was ofi>. dating as Brigade-Major while the real incumbent was absent at furlough at :the Cape. He was- known to be an extraordinary shot with the gun, rifle, and pellet-bow. Nothing could ruffle him outwardly; but I pity the man who wilfully insulted him, for Tainton with a smile would think no more of throwing him out of the window than he would of kicking a cat downstairs, He was a lamb in appearance, but a lion in strength and courage, and neither gambled or quarrelled; but in those duelling days even he could not at times avoid the " wager of battle," D ——> a foolishly irritate and somewhat tipsy man, moreover only a late arrival, took umbrage at some remarks of a perfectly inoffensive nature made by Tainton, and the usual challenge followed. There is a limit to the greatest forbearance, and- my gallant friend was tired of being made a target of, so consented to go out, provided his terms were acceded to, and these were that they were to be placed face to face at fifteen yards or less, he to be armed with his pellet-bow alone and his adver-

sary to load his own weapon; and that the moment the word "Load!" was given each party was. to do with his weapon what' he chose. The seconds knew Tainton well, and they anticipated some fun from the novel dueHlb, while consenting to the terms, they made them know.n_alLqyeiiJ.hfi .KbAinn. The day arrived. Tainton's adversary strongly protested against fighting such a .-was.told he had no choice, as the right of choosing lay with the challenged:' So D , more irritate than ev t er, went td the place of meeting, vowing-fie 'would drive a hole through his man for making such a fool < of him. The whole plain was crowded* with spectators. The two stood face to" face. Tainton with his pocket full of hardened pellets, and his bow,;; D—— with an ordinary pistol. .The. word, "Load I" being given* D—— HfWd hif.' powder flask ; when rap, rap,- cam 6 pellets on his knuckles, and he dropped , his pistol and flask as if they : ha'd been" red hot. The bystanders screamed with laughter. D—- got more savage and hastily picking uphis pistol; and flask -' : tried to load ; but'si similar 'visitation''' as before made him drop them' againf whilst another rap, rap,.made him'turn., his back on his foe; The seconds now'' interfered and declared the duel at an end because the conditions liad beeri violated by D- , who was led off the ground foaming' with rage. But a little reflection: and a little inquiry into theff antecedents and character of the anta^f 1 gonist he had to deal with convinced'* him of the folly of quarrelling with' such a manj and a party was got up mess, where the two met and shook: hands. Tainton's skill with the Indiatf/. pellet-bow was something He had been known for a wager,' with* five pellets to knock over" three srtipe ; ! and the. Sepoy and native officers of hia* regiment not only loved'him, but lieved him to be possessed of super tural powers, arid were' ever fond of* relating the most improbable stories about him, and nothing could convince them to the contrary. Oue story was;' that with a hard pellet he could drill a hole in an earthenware waterpotj arid with a soft one fill'it,up again.