SOME REMARKABLE DUELS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 261, 27 December 1880, Page 4

SOME REMARKABLE DUELS.

"We extract the following from the Sunday Times: — "A fire eater, who took umbrage at something said by a witty and genial man who meant no offence, challenged him to a duel, giving him to understand that he meant to fight at a distance of twenty-five paces. ' I have no objection,' said tbe challenged ; ' but as you take upon you to regulate the distance, you must leave to me the choice of weaprna. 1 only fight with a sword.' 'A duel with swords at five-and-twenty paces! Tou are joking,' exclaimed the second. *I never joke,' was the cool reply. * Never ; aud I am not to bo dissuaded. Swords nnd five-and-twenty paces ! That is my ultimatum.' The challenger, seeing that the laugh was against him, caved in, and there was an end of the matter. A notorious duellist fell out With M. Fleurant, apothecary, and challenged him. The latter, though little versed in such encounters, received . . .„,„.._. -,_w>i--'JSii._i_* f

the challenge calmly, nnd in cn.apttnj with hi(< fnVtitlt., w^s lurdualJy upon the ground the next tn< rning. So, too, was the chollebpen * Sir,* said he to the apothecary, 'choose your weapons — swords or pistols; it is immaterial to me.' ''ihat is all very well' replied the npothecar. , 'but I don't see by what right you impose your weapons upon me. It strikes me that 1 have quite as gocd a title to impose mine on you,' All right, be it so ; what are they?" The apothecary drew from his pocket a little pill box, opened it, and presented it to bis adversary. ' Here,' he said, ' are two pills ; one is poison, the other is innocent. Guess, if you cau ; ehoote, if you dare.' r lhe challenger could not help laughing, and with a friendiy Fiuilo offered his hand to M. Fleurant."