Phenix Gazette

ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

A DUEL BY TORCHLIGHT.

We make an extract from the account given of a singular affair in the memoirs of the Duchess d'Abrantes.

"Among the generals who had placed themselves in absolutely hostile opposition to the general-in-chief, Lanusse, the brother of him who lately commanded at Besancon, was one of the most fiery. One day an expression so horrible, and at the same time so alarming for the safety of the army, was reported to Junot, that from that moment the favorable prepossessions with which the bravery of Lanusse had inspired him, were utterly destroyed. I came to hate him, at last,' said he to me, when relating the circumstances of their quarrel.

Amicable appearances were nevertheless kept up, but their hearts were estranged. One day Murat, wishing to reconcile the two generals, invited them to dine with him, together with Lannes, Bessieres, and I believe Lavalette, who was then aid-de-camp to the general-in-chief.

Dinner passed off agreeably, and the party afterwards fell to play. During a game at bouillotte, the conversation turned on a military operation which the army was about to make, when Lanusse suffered a sarcastic smile to escape him;- it exasperated Junot. Bessieres, who sat next to him, kept him quiet for a few moments. Lanusse, misinterpreting the tranquility which prevailed around him, continued talking about the state of the army in very indecorous terms. In the midst of his strictures he stopped short, and addressing Junot, 'Junot,' said he, 'lend me ten louis! I am a bankrupt.' 'I have no money before me,' replied Junot dryly. As he had a heap of gold before him, Lanusse, eying him steadfastly, rejoined 'How am I to take your answer, Junot?' 'Just as you please.' 'I asked you to lend me ten of the louis that are lying before you.' 'And I answer, that if there is money lying before me, there is none for a traitor like

None but a scoundrel could use such an expression,' cried Lanusse, beside himself with rage. 'You.'

In a moment all were on their legs. 'Junot! Lanusse!' cried they, endeavoring to sooth them, for, at the epithet employed by Lanusse, Junot had become furious. All at once he appeared calm. 'Hear me, Lanusse,' said he, in a voice, the mildness of which formed a strange contrast with his choleric trembling, 'hearken to me; I called you a traitor; I don't think you are so. You called me a scoundrel; you don't think me one; for which we are both brave fellows. But, look you, we must fight: one of us must die. I hate you, because you hate the man whom I love and admire. We must fight, and that immediately. I swear that before I go to bed to-night this affair shall be settled!'

All the witnesses of the scene were sensible that such words as had been exchanged demanded blood, and even life. But, what was to be done? The general proscribed duels; he would not have any in his army. If the affair were to be deferred till the next day, he would know of it, and then it would be impossible to settle it.-- Murat's garden was spacious; it sloped down to the Nile. Torches were lighted, and they might fight that very instant. It was nine o'clock, and quite dark.

'.. What weapon shall we take?' said Junot. 'A pretty question,' said Lanusse, 'pistols to be sure.' Every one looked at him in astonishment. He had been insulted; according to the laws of duelling he had a right to choose the weapons that should be employed. All were surprised that he should prefer one which, in Junot's hand, was sure to prove fatal. It is well known that he was the most expert marksman with the pistol, not in France, but in Europe. At twenty-four paces he never missed an ace, and could always cut the ball in two, and that exactly in the middle, against the blade of a knife. 'I will not fight you with pistols,' said he coolly to Lanusse; 'you are no marksman, you would not hit a barn door. We ought to fight upon equal terms. We have our swords: let us go.'

Bessieres, who was Junot's second along with Murat, whispered to him that he was a foolish fellow, as Lanusse was a capital swordsman, and he might perhaps stand no chance with him.---

'Consider too,' said Murat, 'that it is for life or death.' Junot would not listen to any thing. They proceeded to the garden, and by the way Lanusse again raised his voice, and employed some very offensive expressions with reference to Junot and the general-in-chief. 'Lanusse,' said Junot, 'you are acting now like a man without heart, and yet you are a brave man: one would suppose you were trying to screw up your courage.' Lanusse replied with a volley of abuses. Lannes silenced him. 'Come along, Lanusse,' in the energetic manner with which he adorned all he said; for at this period and even much later, I never heard him speak two words but the third was an oath. 'Come along, .. .. hold your tongue.... You are going to cut one another's throats--what the devil would you have more? All that you say to him now is positively thrown away.'

When they were on the ground, the seconds examined it, and they had a good mind not to * They had previously been intimate, and I know that Lanusse had even laid my husband under obligation. I take pleasure in acknowledging this.

Lanusse was remarkable for bravery, and one of the most distinguished officers of the army of Egypt.
uffer the affair to take place on that spot. The Nile, after its periodical inundation, had left inequalities which were enough to trip a person up every step. 'If it were but day-light!' said Murat. 'But you cannot light here.' 'Come on!' said Junot, 'this is children's play.' Pulling off his coat, he drew his sword, and Lanusse did the same.

Junot was a good fencer. He was nimble, brave, and perfectly cool: but, wishing to finish the affair, and taking his opportunity, he made a stroke at Lanusse, which cut the crown of his hat and spent itself on his cheek. Had he been without his hat he must have been killed. Taking advantage of the movement which had left Junot exposed, he gave him a back-handed cut, which laid open the abdomen, and made a wound, the scar from which was more than eight inches long. Junot was removed with great difficulty.

The nature of the wound was most serious in a country where inflammation of the intestines is the chief thing to be dreaded. But he was surrounded by persons whose talents and friendship quickly alleviated his alarming situation.

The general in chief was furious the next morning, when Desgenettes, at Junot's desire, informed him of the occurrence. 'What!' cried he, 'are they determined to cut each other's throats? Must they go into the midst of the reeds of the Nile, to dispute it with the crocodiles, and leave behind for them the body of the one that shall have fallen? Have they not enough then with the Arabs, the plague, and the Mamelukes? 'You deserve Monsieur Junot,' said he, as though his old aid-de-camp had been present, 'you deserve putting under arrest for a month when you get well.' Such were the very words of Bonaparte. He went to see Junot a considerable time after the affair, that is to say, when Junot was almost convalescent, for, at first, Napoleon would not see him, saying, that he was more culpable than Lanusse. However, the very next day, when apprised of the result and causes of the duel, he exclaimed: 'My poor Junot--wounded for me! But then, the idiot! why did not he fight with pistols?'"