Again they met--fired simultaneously, and the captain, who was unhurt, shattered the right elbow of his antagonist--the very point upon which he had been struck by the second melon seed: and here ended the second lesson. There was something awfully impressive, in the _modus operandi_, and exquisite skill of this antagonist. The third melon seed was still in his possession, and the aggressor had not forgotten, that it had struck the unoffending gentleman, upon the left breast! A month had past--another--and another, of terrible suspense; but nothing was heard from the captain. Intelligence had been received, that he was confined to his lodgings, by illness. At length, the gentleman who had been his second, in the former duels, once more presented himself, and tendered another note, which, as the recipient perceived, on taking it, contained the last of the melon seeds. The note was superscribed in the captain's well known hand, but it was the writing evidently of one, who wrote _deficiente manu_. There was an unusual solemnity also, in the manner of him, who delivered it. The seal was broken, and there was the melon seed, in a blank envelope--"And what, sir, am I to understand by this?"--"You will understand, sir, that my friend forgives you--he is dead." No. CL. A curious story of vicarious hanging is referred to, by several of the earlier historians, of New England. The readers of Hudibras will remember the following passage, Part ii. 407-- "Justice gives sentence, many times, On one man for another's crimes. Our brethren of New England use Choice malefactors to excuse, And hang the guiltless in their stead, Of whom the churches have less need: As lately 't happen'd:--in a town There liv'd a cobbler, and but one, That out of doctrine could cut use, And mend men's lives, as well as shoes. This precious brother having slain, In times of peace, an Indian, Not out of malice, but mere zeal, Because he was an infidel; The mighty Tottipottymoy Sent to our ciders an envoy; Complaining sorely of the breach Of league, held forth by brother Patch, Against the articles in force Between both churches, his and ours, For which he crav'd the saints to render Into his hands, or hang th' offender: But they, maturely having weigh'd They had no more but him o' the trade, A man that served them, in a double Capacity, to teach and cobble, Resolved to spare him; yet to do The Indian Hoghan Moghan too Impartial Justice, in his stead did Hang an old weaver, that was bedrid."