398

LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI.

to fear being called upon to use their weapons, as theFrench are not celebrated for fairness in duels, whenadvantage can be taken with impunity. In my remarkson coroners’ inquests, page 249, I have given an instanceof a sly murder committed at a duel, and I could musterup more would my space allow of it. All the seconds thenon this occasion were stripped, with weapons bound inhand, as though they had to fight themselves.*

The play began; three pair with small swords (spade),one with sabres. A description of the thrusts, parries,feints, passes, &c., &c., would be given in a romance, but itis not possible for me to detail them here were I ever soinclined. Moreover, all my anxiety was directed to myfriend. He was active, strong, dextrous, and cool as acucumber : I felt that he had a good chance, but, alas,three of the Frenchmen fell one after the other! Havingheard of the “ theory of chances,” fear flashed across myheart for the odds against my friend. I saw that he wasequal, and more, to the Frenchman, hut it was hard toexpect four victories out of four matches. However, Ikept close beside him and urged him to the Mamalucca, aword of which the other did not understand our application.The Prince held out the bait—the Frenchman took it,-—-andinstantly his abdomen was opened, so that his bowelsprotruded. Had it not been for the edge of the sabretaking a button of his trousers, the wound would have beenworse and mortal; but, as it happened, I am joyed to saythe man recovered, as also did two others of the French-men wounded with swords, though one of them limped everafter, having been wounded in the joint at the groin. Oneonly died, and that only six days afterwards. Only one ofthe Neapolitans received a scratch ; and that was so small

* In duel fighting, either with swords orsabres,the weaponis, or oughtto be, firmly bound by a wet handkerchief round his hand and wrist.