A REMARKABLE DUEL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 47, 24 February 1881, Page 4

A REMARKABLE DUEL.

An old East Indian offioer, in giving 'seme reminiscences in Chambers' Journal, tells this story: — Tainton's regiment was stationed at the Straits (Singapore, Malacca and Penßng), hut lie was officiating os Brigade-Ma] or while the real incumbent was absent on furlough at the Cape. He wbs known fo be an extraordinary shot w ! ,th the gun, rifle and pellet-bow. Nothing could ruffle him outwardly; but I pity the man who wilfully insulted bim, 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 very lion in strength and courage, and neither drank, gambled or quarrelled; but in Ihose duelling days even he could not at times avoid the •• wager of battle." D , a foolishly irate and somewhat tipsy man, moreover only a late arrival, took umbrage at Borne remarks of a perfectly inoffensive nature made by Tainton, and tbe 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, find these were that they were to be placed face to faoe at fifteen yards or less, he to be armed with bis pellet-bow alo_e and bis adversary to load his own 'weapon; and tbat tbe moment the word " Load 1" was given each party was to do with bis weapon what he chose. Tbe seconds knew Tainton well, and tbey anticipated some fun from the novel duel; so, while consenting to the terms, they made them known al) over the station. The day arrived. Tainton's adversary strongly protested against Cabling such a strange duel; but he was told be had no choice, as 6he right of choosing weapons lay witb the challenged. So D., more irate tban ever, went to the place of meeting, vowing he would drive a hole through bis man for making such a fool of bim. The whole plain was crowded witb spectators. Tbe two stood face to face. Tainton with bis pockets full of hardened pellets, and hia bow ; D«-~-with an ordinary pistol. Tbe word "Load!" being given, D lifted his powder fla.k ; wben rap, rap, came two pellets on bis knuckles, and he dropped hia pistol and flask as if they had been red hot. The bystanders screamed with laughter. D— — got more savage and hastily picking up bis pistol and flask tried to load ; but a similar visitation as before made him drop them again, whilst another rap, rap, made him turn his back on his foe. Tbe seconds now interfered and declared the duel at an end because the conditions bad been violated by D- ■ , who was led off the ground ioßming with rage. But a little reflection and a little enquiry into the antecedents and character of tbe antagonist be had to deal with convinced bim of the folly of quarrelling with such a man, and a party wag got up at mesp, where the two met and shook hands. Tainton's skill with the Indian pelletbow was something marvellous. He had been known for a wager, with five pellets to knock over tbree snipe ; and tbe Sepoy and native c Ulcere of his regiment not only loved bim, but believed bim to be possessed of supernatural powers, and were ever fond of relating the most improbable stories about bim, and nothing would convince tbem to the contrary. One story was, that with a bard pellet he could drill a hole in an earthenware waterpot, and witb a soft one QUI it up again.