THE POINT OF HONOUR: A STOEY OF THE PAST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3356, 10 January 1879, Page 3

THE POINT OF HONOUR: A STOEY OF THE PAST.

Shortly after Waterloo had been fought, one of our English regiments (which had taken a distinguished part in that great victory), stationed in a Mediterranean gam-

son, gained an unenviable notoriety there bv a sudden mania for duelling which broke out amongst its officers, and wluoh threatened to become so chronic in its character as seriously to interfere with the discipline of the corps Quarrels were made for the most trifling affairs, and scarcely a day passed without a hostile meeting taking place, which the colonel ( —a weak-mindod man— expressed himself powerless to prevent. The colonel saw that the vendetta-like conduct of his officers towards him was gradually divesting him of all authority in the eyes of his men, and he was compelled to relinquish his command and return to England. On arrival in this country he lost no time in proceeding to the Horse Uriiards, where he sought and gained an interTien- with the Duke of Wellington, to whom he gave a graphic account of tho state of afiairs which existed in the regiment he had 3ust left. The Iron Duke listened attentively to the narration, and knitted his brow in anger as the colonel related the story of tho duelling; and when tho latter had finished speaking he exclaimed in an unmistakablv stern and uncompromising tone — "It is your fault, sir! You should have brought some of the ringleaders to a court martial, and cashiered them on the spot. You have sadly neglec^d your duty, and that is a thing which I never pardon." The colonel left tho Guards in a very crestfallen state, and he was hardly surprised when he saw in the next Gazette the announcement that "His Majesty had no iurther need of his services."

In the meantime the Duke had obtained a special audience of the Prince Regent, to whom he explained the condition of affairs in connection with the regiment in qtiestion. The result of the interview was that Colonel A , a well-known martinet, then on halfpay, was sent for, and the circumstances explained to him ; the prince offering him the command of the regiment on condition that he would undertake to cure the duelling propensities of its officers. Colonel A was delighted at the prospect of active service, and he willingly accepted the tusk assigned to him, it being understood that he was to be granted a royal indemnity for anything serious which might happen to anybody else in hia endeavours to put a stop to the duelling. On his arrival at the garrison he lost no time in making himself acquainted with his brother officers. He had already laid out his plan of notion in his own mind, and was fully determined to allow nothing to swerve him a huuvs-breadth from the path of duty. At the mess-table he behaved with studied politeness and amiability of manner ; and his subordinates indicated that they wore greatly pleased with their new commander. He chatted pleasantly with all, from the senior major down to the youngest ensign, and, when the cloth was removed, regaled them with the latest gossip and doings of London society. Before they separated for the night, however, he took the opportunity of informing them, in a very quiot manner, that lie had heard of the frequent duels which had lately taken place in tho corps, and that it seemed a matter of regret to him that they could not manage to live in peace and aniitv.

" However," he said, " if it be your wish, gentlemen, to fight out your quarrels in this way, I shall interpose no obstacle to your doing so. But this can only be by your pledging your word of honour now, to the effect that in future no duel shall take place without my permission having been first obtained. As I am your colonel, it is necessary that my authority should be acknowledged in all that relates to the honour of the regiment." The officers looked at each other, and then at the colonel, and a somewhat embarrassing silonee ensued ; but it was broken by Colonel A , who said : —

" Don't be afraid that I shall refuse your request ; on tho contrary, I shall only be too pleased to grant my permission, if, on examining the facts of the case, I find sufficient reason to think that the applicant's amour propre has been wounded, and that a hostile meeting 19 indispensable." At these reassuring words the young fireeaters were satisfied, and at once gave tho promise demanded ; and Colonel A thon retired 1o his chamber, where, overcome by the fatigue of a rough voyage, he soon -found himself snugly ensconced in the arms of Morpheus.

On the following morning he was rather rudely awakened from a refreshing slumber by a loud rapping at his chamber door; and on challenging his early visitors he was informed that it -was Captain Lord Vellum and Ensign Warbottle, who wished to speak to him on a matter of the gravest importance. " You might have chosen a more convenient hour for your visit, gentlemen," said the colonel, who was naturally loath to rise from his bed at five o'clock on the first morning after his voyage. "It is sin * affair of honour,' colonel," v.-.as the significant reply, " and cannot be delayed. We beg you will admit us instantly." The colonel rose and opened the door to the early comers. They were two handsome young men, who had on tho previous evening already attracted Colonel A 'a attention by the extreme friendliness which they exhibited for each other. They respectfully saluted their commanding officer aa they entered the room, and the latter broke an awkward silence by demanding of them tho object of their visit. Ensign Warbottle again raised his hand in eahite as he replied, " We have come to ask your permission to fight, colonel." " Indeed !" exclaimed Colonel A ;" I thought you were great friends." " Yes, colonel, we have been most intimate friends from our youth upward," said Lord Vellum, " and we respect each other very sincerely ; but we havo had a dispute, and our wounded honour must be satisfied."

f |Thcn I presume that something very serious must have occurred, gentlemen, to make the only remedy for it a recourse to the pistol ?"

" It is indeed a very serious matter, colonel," replied Enßign Warbottle ; " and it is this : After you had left the table last night we chatted over what you told ua about the doings in London lately ; and in the enthusiasm of the moment I remarked that I should like to be there, riding at the head of a troop of Life Guards, and escorting the Prince Kegent, with my silver helmet glittering in the sun and my drawn sword in my hand. Whereupon Lord Vellum said, with a sneer, that I was a feather-bed soldier, and that a leathern helmet would be quite good enough for such as I. I took no notice of this remark, but 1 was annoyed and eicited ; and when he further asserted that the officers of the Life Guards wore brass helmets, human nature could stand it no longer, and I gave him the lie. He retaliated by striking mo on the face — an insult, colonel, which justifies me, I think, in demanding a hostile meeting." The last words were said in a manner which admitted of only one meaning, ;md the two young ofllcera exchanged glances of mutual hatred and defiance.

["To be continued.")