The duel was fierce;
but the might of Heaven prevailed, and not my might. The
ungodly and reprobate young man fell covered with wounds, and
with curses and blasphemy in his mouth, while I escaped
uninjured. Thereto his power extended not.
I will not deny that my own immediate impressions of this affair
in some degree differed from this statement. But this is precisely
as my illustrious friend described it to be afterwards, and I can
rely implicitly on his information, as he was at that time a looker-
on, and my senses all in a state of agitation, and he could have no
motive for saying what was not the positive truth.
Never till my brother was down did we perceive that there had
been witnesses to the whole business. Our ears were then
astounded by rude challenges of unfair play, which were quite
appalling to me; but my friend laughed at them and conducted me
off in perfect safety. As to the unfairness of the transaction, I can
say thus much, that my royal friend's sword was down ere ever
mine was presented. But if it still be accounted unfair to take up a
conqueror, and punish him in his own way, I answer: That if a
man is sent on a positive mission by his master, and hath laid
himself under vows to do his work, he ought not to be too nice in
the means of accomplishing it; and, further, I appeal to holy writ,
wherein many instances are recorded of the pleasure the Lord
takes in the final extinction of the wicked and profane; and this
position I take to be unanswerable.
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