"But, do you secure yourself? Has duelling this result?"

"Not invariably, perhaps; simply because the condition of humanity

does not recognise invariable results. If it is shown to be the

probable, the frequent result, it is all that can be expected of

any human agency or law."

"But, is it probable--frequent?"

"Yes, almost certain, almost invariable. Look at the general manners,

the deportment, the forbearance, of all communities where duelling

is recognised as an agent of society. See the superior deference

paid to females, the unfrequency of bullying, the absence of

blackguarding, the higher tone of this public press, and of society

in general, from which the public press takes its tone, and which

it represents in our country, but does not often inform. Even

seduction is a rare offence, and a matter of general exclamation,

where this extra-judicial agent is recognised."

And so forth. It is not necessary to repeat our discussion

on this vexed question, of its uses and abuses. I did not succeed

in convincing him, and, under existing circumstances, it is not

reasonable to imagine that his arguments had any influent over me.

To Frank Kingsley I went, and found him in better mood to take up

the cudgels, and even make my cause his own. He was one of those

ardent bloods, who liked nothing better than the excitement of such

an affair; whether as principal or assistant, it mattered little.

To him I expressed my wish that his arrangements should bring the

matter to an issue, if possible, within the next twenty-four hours.

"Prime!" he exclaimed, rubbing his hands. "That's what I like. If

you shoot as quickly now, and as much to the point, you may count

any button on Perkins's coat."

He proceeded to confer with the friend of my opponent, while, with

a meditative mind, I went to my office, necessarily oppressed with

the strange feelings belonging to my situation. In less than two

hours after Kingsley brought me the carte, by which I found that

the meeting was to take place two miles out of town, by sunrise

the day after the one ensuing--the weapons, pistols--distance, as

customary, ten paces!

"You are a shot, of course?" said Kingsley.

My answer, in the negative, astonished him.

"Why, you will have little or no time for practice."

"I do not intend it. My object is not to kill this man; but to make

him and all others see that the dread of what may be done, either

by him or them, will never reconcile me to submit to injury or

insult. I shall as effectually secure this object by going out, as

I do, without preparation, as if I were the best shot in America.

He does not know that I am not; and a pistol is always a source of

danger when in the grasp of a determined man."




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