Just before daybreak I was suddenly aroused by the violent movements of
the Major, who occupied a room next to mine.
The bell-cord was pulled viciously for some moments, and this was
followed by hoarse exclamations.
Finally someone answered the bell and knocked at the Major's door.
A deep grunt followed and the door was partly opened.
"Are yo' a Prince George nigger?" asked the Major, sleepily.
"No sir!"
"Then git out and send me one right away."
The door closed, a short period of silence followed, which was suddenly
broken by more violent pulls at the bell cord. Then I thought I
recognized Sam's footsteps sounding softly along the hall, and the door
opened again.
"Are yo' a Prince George nigger?" grunted the Major.
"I is sir," came Sam's answer.
"Then for the Lord's sake take a look around and tell me where I am at."
"You'se right heah, Major. Right heah, sah."
"I thought so," said the Major with a satisfied sigh, and as the door
closed again a long drawn snore told plainly that he had relapsed into
peaceful sleep.
I was too much aroused, by this time, to sleep any more, so I lay awake
thinking of the possible dangerous outcome of the meeting that would
soon take place.
Soon I heard footsteps again approaching along the corridor, and I was
then aware that Barron and Will Byrd were approaching the Major's room.
It was barely daylight, but I jumped up and dressed and made my way into
the room to join them.
The Major was still undressed. He sat on the edge of the bed and
appeared so nervous that he could hardly put on his clothes.
This amused Barron very much.
"It's no use, Barry! you know the old saying about the dogs' hair being
good for his bite," said the Major, throwing down his clothes. "Gimme
some of the hair, and I'll see if this twitching of the bones and
numbing of the nerves don't hold off a bit. Lord! I didn't drink
anything last night to amount to anything. I was just a little tired out
riding over from Pendletons."
Barron poured out a good, stiff drink of brandy, and the Major gulped it
down without winking.
Then a most remarkable change came over the old fighter's grizzled
features. He jumped up, and in less time than it takes to tell of it, he
had his clothes on, and was just buckling on his sword belt, when Barron
stopped him.
"Now, Bull, whoever heard of fighting a duel in such a rig," he cried.
"Take it off, man. Byrd has the tooth-picks for this work," and he
pointed to a couple of rapiers, wrapped carefully in cloth, that Will
carried under his arm.
The Major looked from one to the other of us.
"Fight a duel!" he cried in astonishment. "Who in the name of six sons
of Hayman is going to fight a duel?" and he forthwith strapped on his
sword-belt.
Barron burst into a fit of laughter. "Never mind, come along with us.
But where on earth, Bull, did you think we were bound for at this hour
in the morning?"
"Think!" roared Bullbeggor, "I know I'm going to ride to Williamsburg
and report to Colonel Woodford. Think thunder."
Will looked a little disgusted, but said nothing, and I led the way
softly down the corridor and out the back way without awakening my
mother or sister.
The Major looked about him with blinking, sheeny eyes for his mare. Not
seeing her, he started for the stables, calling out lustily for Snake in
the Grass.
Barron seized him by the arm and stopped him. "Bull," he cried laughing,
"you've made an appointment to meet Harrison, and he is waiting to get a
clip from you down on the shore. Don't make any more racket, but come
along before you wake up the household."
I must say, I was somewhat disgusted with the Major's behavior, so I
spoke out, telling him he would have to meet his man.
"Meet him!" he bawled, turning on me fiercely. "Of course I'll meet
him." Then he turned toward the stable. "Snake!" he cried, as his nigger
appeared, "Get the mare ready, for I'll be through in a few minutes.
Lead the way, Mr. Judkins. Meet the devil!"
I then led the way down to the river bank, just as the rising sun tipped
the tree tops with golden light.
The shore in the bend was very flat and sandy, being overhung partly
with great, sweeping willows. As we neared the spot fixed upon we were
aware of the presence of Harrison and Phripps. They were standing under
a large tree and appeared to be much absorbed in conversation.
As we approached them they turned about, and Phripps advanced, holding a
pair of small swords in one hand and a case containing pistols in the
other.
Will and the Major stood aside and Phripps, Barron and myself proceeded
to arrange the details of the meeting.
It was decided to fight the affair with swords, until one or the other
of the combatants was completely disabled, and I must say that Phripps
was fair enough in the matter. He measured the weapons and gave Barron
the choice, after which he took the one left and started toward
Harrison, who had strolled down on the river shore to where the sand
was hard and firm.
I might say here, that I was not at all unfriendly toward Harrison, and
that I only took part in the affair after I had done everything in my
power to settle matters peaceably. It required nice discernment, in
those days, for a man to make up his mind whether he was a tory or not,
and it was more because I sympathized with the Major's political ideas,
than anything else, that I took any part in the matter at all. As it
was, I acted as I had acted several times before in such cases; that is,
as referee or judge, while Barron and Phripps were seconds to their
respective men. Will Byrd simply acted as a spectator. It was a perfect
spot for a meeting. The tall sweeping willows for a background on the
low bluff-like bank, and the water sparkling in the sunshine beyond the
shadow. The sand of the shore was firm and flat, and there was plenty of
room, as it was now nearly low water. I marked a spot and gave the
signal for the men to take their places.
I introduced the Major to Phripps and bade Barron hand him his weapon
quickly to avoid unnecessary delay, for I knew his habits of inquiry.
"Mr. Phripps, your mother was a Robinson, I believe, if I remember
correctly," said he, as Barron passed him the hilt and cast off his
sword belt.
"I never met her as a girl," snapped Phripps, impatiently.
"The more honor to her," replied the Major, quietly, as he flashed out
his heavy broadsword. "No fear," he continued, as Phripps reached
hastily for the pistol case, "I'll attend to you some other time. I have
to do with Dunmore's heel dog first."
I took up a pistol and cocked back the flint. "You know the penalty,
Major. Take your place and weapon," I said.
He looked steadily at me for a moment, his eyes gleaming with a strange
light. Then he answered:
"This is a weapon I've used for some years past, Mr. Judkins, and it is
the only one I will use in this quarrel. If no one cares to meet me my
mare is waiting to carry me to more important matters. Take the devil!"
he growled deeper, "I'll take the stiffening out of somebody."
"Don't disturb him on my account," spoke Harrison. "Let him use his
weapon and talk less. I make no objection to it at all. I am ready." And
he took his position.
I looked at Phripps, but he nodded approval; so I gave the word to
begin. I heard Barron laugh out some remark at the Major's expense, as
the men stood on guard for an instant. Then the fight began.
As I said before, I had already seen some sword play and indifferent
marksmanship on that beach, but this affair was most uncommon.
The men were at it fiercely as the weapons fell across. Harrison, with
gleaming eyes and a sneer of contempt on his lips, thrust and lunged
past the broad blade of the Major's with cat like quickness. But to no
purpose. The Major, holding his heavy broadsword as lightly as a rapier
before him, with its scabbard held high in his left hand behind his back
to keep it from his knees, turned each attack by a slight, strong turn
of the wrist. His face was grave and calm, but as I watched him, the
gradual tightening of the muscles in his lean, bronzed jaws showed that
either the strain was beginning to tell on his wind, or else his temper
was rising rapidly. However, he refrained from attempting the stroke I
knew must soon be made, unless Harrison jabbed him.
The morning was warm and soon the perspiration was pouring down the
faces of the men. Harrison eased up a moment to note his effect on the
Major, and seeing that he was keeping him in hand, pressed forward again
with vigor.
Backward went the Major, giving ground slowly in a circle, while that
look of surprise I have seen on more than one man's face, when suddenly
confronted by grave danger, spread slowly over his streaming features.
Harrison was getting white and waxy about the lips, and his breath came
in loud rasping gasps, but his eye was like the glint of steel as he
pressed fiercely on.
I have never seen a better swordsman. His wrist began to tire, but he
instantly passed his hilt to his left hand and then came on harder than
ever.
I looked at Barron and saw the smile go from his face as the Major
circled backward past him. The old soldier's left hand was holding his
scabbard lower and lower, until finally he dropped it entirely. Then
Harrison saw his time had come for the finish.
Quick as thought he passed his hilt to his right hand again, for the
final thrust through the Major's wavering guard.
Then happened the most uncommon thing about the whole affair. It was
done so quickly my eyes could hardly follow it, although I was standing
but a few paces away and looking directly at the men.
As Harrison passed his hilt to his right hand, the Major's weapon fell
to the right of him with his foot still advanced, and as Harrison lunged
strongly, the Major's broadsword rose and fell with a wicked "swish."
Harrison's sword passed neatly through the Major's shoulder and
protruded fully a foot behind him, while the old soldier's weapon struck
Harrison fairly on the head and stretched him limp on the sand. The
heavy blade had struck close to the hilt, as he had lunged forward,
otherwise it must have bitten in as deep as the eyes. As it was the blow
was bad enough, and we rushed in to see what could be done for him. It
was several minutes, however, before he opened his eyes and showed any
signs of life.
While we worked to stanch Harrison's wound and revive him, the Major
walked off a short distance and sat himself on the edge of the low,
bluff-like bank beneath a willow. He then carefully stripped off his new
uniform before Barron or Byrd thought of leaving Harrison to come to his
assistance, tied up the rapier thrust, and prepared to move along in the
direction of the Hall with his sword belt slung carelessly over his arm.
When Harrison's wandering gaze met him his strength came back suddenly,
and it was all Barron and I could do to hold him in check. He insisted
that he should continue the engagement and Byrd's outspoken objections
only inflamed him the more.
The Major suddenly glanced back and saw what had happened, so he halted
while Phripps ran toward him.
"The affair is not quite over, if you please, sir," said Phripps as he
approached.
"Isn't, eh!" grunted Bullbeggor, drawing his sword and throwing the
scabbard aside. "Then if you can prove that your gentility consists in
something more than a love for horses and dogs--and women, you can get
your hand to some weapon." And with that he came quickly forward.
"After Mr. Harrison has finished with you, we can go further into the
matter with some advantage," said the second, motioning with his hand
towards his principal.
But Harrison's strength was unequal to the occasion. He no sooner stood
alone than he wavered, staggered, and then pitched forward on his face
in a dead faint. Phripps quickly ran to him and raised his head while I
poured some brandy between his lips.
The Major stood silent and motionless before the group, his sword point
resting upon the toe of his boot and his hands crossed over the hilt. A
strangely grave and thoughtful expression shone on his rugged face, now
perfectly calm from the heat and excitement of the fray; and as I
watched him he appeared to me a poor duellist, and a man to whom self
was not the all important realization in life.
I went toward him and held out my hand. He took it in an absent minded
way and turned at the sound of approaching footsteps behind him. I
looked over his shoulder just as Snake broke through the fringe of
willows, leading the Major's mare by the bridle.
"I suppose he isn't hurt badly, Mr. Judkins," said Bullbeggor, looking
at his limp adversary. "But even if he is, I don't believe I can do much
for him. I thank you, sir, for your hospitality and fairness. I must go
along now, for I'm due at Williamsburg before night."
"You certainly will come back to the Hall and let us fix you up a
little, Major. You certainly must feel a little shaken from that
puncture. It may be more dangerous than you believe," I said.
"Not at all, sir. Not at all. I have had Dr. McGuire bleed me twice as
much in the last month. I do feel a slight twitching of the bones and a
sort of dead feeling in the nerves, but besides a few pains shooting in
and out, I'm all right. Then there is Pendleton's tavern at the
cross-roads a mile beyond the bend, and you remember the old rake keeps
good bottled stuff. No fear, I'll be all right. But I will take a small
drink with you, Barron and Byrd, just to show there's no hard feeling."
Harrison had begun to show signs of returning consciousness, so Barron
and Will left his side and came forward a pace or two. The flask was
passed around and then, in spite of Barron's protests to the contrary,
the Major insisted on carrying out his plans as he had already intended.
He buckled on his sword belt and mounted his powerful mare, while Snake
plunged into the bushes and reappeared a moment later mounted and ready
to follow his master. His black face was showing in marked contrast to
the white gleam of his huge mouthful of teeth, and it was evident that
he had viewed the fight from some unseen point on the river shore and
was well pleased with the result.
We raised Harrison and carried him in the direction of the Hall. In a
few minutes he revived and looked about him for the Major. Not seeing
him, he insisted on walking the remaining distance to the house on foot
and we finally allowed him to attempt it.
Just as we crossed the road, opposite the driveway, I saw Snake in the
distance turn sharply in his saddle as we came into view. Then, through
the dust cloud that almost instantly swallowed him up, I noticed his
head bend outwards and his white cap rise and fall in an ungraceful bow.