The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 82: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

82 BY RIGHT OF SWORD. to be killed by Durescq, I should at least die as became ‘“‘ that devil, Alexis.’’ CHAPTER XI.—DANGER FROM A FRESH SOURCE. I WALKED home with a feeling of rare exhilaration. Whatever happened, this was my own quarrel, and I had so acted as to secure the sympathy of all who knew the facts. ‘The quarrel had been fixed on me in public ina manner peculiarly disgraceful to both my opponents, and if they killed me it would be murder. If on the other hand I could kill either or both, the world would be sweeter and purer for its riddance of them. Moreover, I had so arranged matters that I saw how I should have at least an equal chance of my life. I should have the choice of weapons, and I would fight Devinsky “_ swords and the ‘‘ butcher ’’ with pistols. I thought much about Durescq’s skill. He had a huge reputation both as a swordsman anda shot; but I was very confident in my own skill with the sword, and inclined to doubt whether he could beat me even with that. But in the end J decided not to run that risk. The issue should be left to chance. One should be loaded, and one unloaded ; and a toss should settle which each should have. We would then stand at arm’s length, the barrel of one man’s weapon touching the other’s forehead. The man to whom for- tune gave the loaded weapon would thus be bound to blow the other’s brains out, whether he had any skill or not. About an hour later, Hssaieff came to me and told me that the whole regiment was ina state of excitement about the fight, and that feeling against Devinsky had reached a positively dangerous pitch, especially when it was known that he had practically refused to meet me. That point was still un- settled, and Essaieff had come to get my final decision. ‘My advice is, stand firm,’’ he said. ‘‘ You’reinthe right. ‘There isn’t an unprejudiced man in the whole army who wouldn’t say you were acting well within your rights ; just as, I must say, my dear fellow, you’ve acted splendidly throughout.’’ I told him what I had been thinking. ‘“Tt seems a ghastly thing to puta life on the spin of a coin,’’ he commented. ““Better than to haveit ended without a chance, by the thrust of a butcher’s knife.’’ ‘That name will stick to Durescq always,’’ he said, with a slow smile. ‘‘It was splendid. Do you know you made me hold my breath while you were at him. He zs a butcher.’’ ‘Do you say Devinsky won’t meet me?”’ q asked. ‘“No, not that he won’t; but he raises the excuse that as Durescq’s challenge was given first—as it was indeed—the order of the duels must follow the order of the challenges. But they arranged the challenges pur- posely in that order.’’ ““T shan’t hold to the point,’’ I said, aftera moment’s consideration. ‘‘ If Eomichbooks (E©)