An Aston-Johnson pistol of 1842, an American gun made in Middlefield, Connecticut for use in the military, especially among the cavalry.
Part 1 of 2
THEY turned to the right, and taking a track across a little meadow, passed Ham House and came into some fields beyond. In one of these, they stopped.
The ground was measured, some usual forms gone through, the two principals were placed front to front at the distance agreed upon, and Sir Mulberry turned his face towards his young adversary for the first time. He was very pale, his eyes were bloodshot, his dress disordered, and his hair dishevelled. For the face, it expressed nothing but violent and evil passions. He shaded his eyes with his hand; gazed at his opponent, steadfastly, for a few moments; and, then taking the weapon which was tendered to him, bent his eyes upon that, and looked up no more until the word was given, when he instantly fired.
The two shots were fired, as nearly as possible, at the same instant.
Précis
Lord Frederick Verisopht challenged his friend Sir Mulberry Hawk to a duel over the latter’s conduct towards a young woman. The two men met in a field where they stood a fixed distance apart, and then, after a brief pause, each took one shot with a pistol at the other, firing almost simultaneously. (53 / 60 words)
Part Two
A frosty cobweb in Ham Common near London, where the duel between Hawk and Lord Frederick Verisopht was staged.
IN that instant, the young lord turned his head sharply round, fixed upon his adversary a ghastly stare, and without a groan or stagger, fell down dead.
‘He’s gone!’ cried Westwood, who, with the other second, had run up to the body, and fallen on one knee beside it.
‘His blood on his own head,’ said Sir Mulberry. ‘He brought this upon himself, and forced it upon me.’
‘Captain Adams,’ cried Westwood, hastily, ‘I call you to witness that this was fairly done. Hawk, we have not a moment to lose. We must leave this place immediately, push for Brighton, and cross to France with all speed. This has been a bad business, and may be worse, if we delay a moment. Adams, consult your own safety, and don’t remain here; the living before the dead; goodbye!’
With these words, he seized Sir Mulberry by the arm, and hurried him away.
Précis
Lord Frederick Verisopht and Sir Mulberry Hawk fired at the same time, but only Sir Mulberry’s shot struck home; Lord Frederick died instantly. At once, the seconds bustled Sir Mulberry away to exile in France. Lord Frederick was left to lie where he had fallen, so that there would be no trouble with the police. (55 / 60 words)
