ng in company with some of the
military staff, observations were made in his presence, relative to the
conduct of the naval captain ill with the fever, that he could not
permit. He gave a flat denial to them, and the consequence was, that
language was used which left no alternative but a duel.

This was the Monday night, and as it was too late then, it was agreed
that the meeting should take place on the following evening at sunset.
I believe this was proposed by Captain Delmar, in preference to the
morning, as he knew his antagonist was a regular duellist and he wished
to have the next day to put his affairs in order, previous to the
meeting. I should here observe that the captain had not been on
anything like intimate terms with his lieutenants. The surgeon and
master were old shipmates, and with them he was sociable: whether it was
that he did not choose to ask the favour of the commissioned officers,
certain it is, that he sent for the master to be his second on the
occasion, and on the master returning on board, he desired me to go on
shore with the boat and take the captain's pistols with me, but not to
allow them to be seen by any one; a message was also sent for the
surgeon to go on shore to the captain.

When the surgeon and I arrived at the house where the captain resided,
and were ushered up, the sitting-room was empty. I had put the case of
pistols in a piece of canvas, so as to look like despatches about to be
sent to England, and I uncovered them and placed them on one of the
tables. A few minutes afterwards the captain came out, and I was very
much surprised at his appearance; he was very flushed and heated in the
face, and appeared to tremble as he walked. The surgeon also looked at
him with surprise. We knew him to be incapable of fear, and yet he gave
us the appearance of a person very much troubled.

"Doctor," said he, "I am glad that you are come. I feel very unwell--
feel my pulse."

"Yes, sir," said the doctor, "that you certainly are; you have the same
fever on you as Captain W. Singular."

"Yes, but it will be rather too singular, doctor. Poor W had obloquy
enough on account of his illness; and if a second captain in the navy
were to be obliged to send a similar excuse, we should be at a pretty
discount with the red-coats. If you can do any thing for me, do; but it
must be perfectly understood that fight to-morrow evening I will, even
if I am carried to the ground."

"Certainly,