A THRILLING INCIDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1372, 16 April 1881, Page 2

A THRILLING INCIDENT.

An affair happened in Waikato the other day, which almost takes one back in fancy to the days of chivalry, and cerlainljr proves that the • Caucasian- is not played oat. Mr .W — (we for obvious reasons conceal the names) is a surveyor, who has for some time been engaged in the back country, and at many different times he has had occasion to snub one of his subordinates (Mr V ) for his over-officiousness. Matters culminated the other day by W knocking V down. The latter thereupon sent his opponent a written challenge, to v/hieh W answered by saying V was too young to take notice of. V retorted by calling W and X (a friend of W 's) a pair of cowards, whereupon X said he would take up the challenge, and it was agreed that the weapons should be pistols, the time daylight next morning, and place not a hundred miles from Cambridge. The arrangements wore ably carried out by Messrs Y and Z , the two seconds, and, after a refreshing sleep, the parties met- at the appointed place in the grey glimmer of dawn, looking very much like Tom Moore and Jeffrey must have done one morning many years ago on the banks of the Tweed. ]> was, however, discovered that although two revolvers had been procured, there was only ammunition for X 's, and life generously offered to " toss up " for the possession of the loaded weapon, as he did not wish to shoot a defenceless man. A coin was accordingly thrown up, and the choice fell to X . The seconds then paced off the ground, and the combatants took up their positions. V was now seen to tremble very much, and calling T (his second) towards him, hurriedly whispered something in his ear. The second then advanced, and said his principal was quite willing that the affair should end there if X would apologise ! As X had the loaded pistol, this was too "much of a joke, and he refused the modest request, adding, however, that if V would express his regret for his insulting behaviour, he (X ) was quite willing to let the matter drop. V then called out, saying that was what he meant, and that his second had misinterpreted him. The piteous tones of his voice were not to be resisted, and on his making a fitting apology, X granted him a free pardon. And so the affair ended— not in smoke, but in four " long-sleevers. "