A REMARKABLE DUEL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 53, 3 March 1900, Page 5 (Supplement)

A REMARKABLE DUEL.

It happened once during the Mexican War that two young1 officers quarrelled; a challenge was- offered and accepted. As there was no other-officer available, Lieut. Jiidgely, who was the superior officer of coth the young men, was chosen to serve c,s second for both; and both had the utmost'confidence in him and respect for him. They met on the "field of honour." Ridgely paced off 30 paces, and placed both the principals, who had their weapons—rifles—ready. Then he drew his own revolver, cocked it, and announced that if either failed to obey his orders he would shoot him. And both. of them believed him capable of Keeping1 his word. "Will you obey'me implicitly?" he asked. Believing that -this • pledge was necessary to his acting': as5 second for both, the young men answered, "We will." "Make ready! Aim!" he commanded. The two young men levelled their pieces at each other, and waited steadily, unflinchingly, for the command to fire. But instead there came the. command from Rfdgely:— "Shoulder arms!" ' They shouldered. "Right about face!" " ' They turned in obedience to order. "Forward, march!" He kept them moving in obedience to regular military orders until he had got them side by side, and then he inarched them to his tent, and made a little speech to them, which was lo this purport:— "Gentlemen, you have faced each other, and proved that you are both brave men by standing unmoved before the gunmuzzle which in the next instant might have sent you to your death. This should be sufficient evidence to each of you that the other is a gallant gentleman. Your honour is established. • There is no necessity for any further .proceedings. Go to your tents, and let this be the end of your disagreement. Forward, march!" The two young men were completely re. conciled, and were fa3t friends thereafter.