The History of Duelling. Vol. 1 (of 2)Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)
Philosophy
The History of Duelling. Vol. 1 (of 2)
Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)
Dueling
63. When four pistols are used, if one of the party is wounded, the
contest must cease, and the wounded man not be allowed to fire, as it
is evident that his antagonist, who might remain with a loaded pistol,
would have an unfair advantage over him in a cool deliberate fire.
64. When one of the parties is wounded, the affair must be considered
ended, even though the wounded party should express his wish to
proceed, unless the seconds consider him in a fit state to continue the
combat.
65. In the pistol duel called _à marche interrompue_, a distance of
forty-five or fifty paces is measured, and two lines are traced and
marked between the distance of fifteen to twenty paces. Thus the
combatants may advance fifteen paces.
66. On the word “March,” the combatants may advance in a _zigzag_ step,
not exceeding two paces. They may take aim without firing; and while
advancing stop when they choose, and advance again; but once having
fired, both parties must halt on the spot.
67. The combatant who has not fired, may now fire, but without
advancing; and the party who has fired, must firmly stand the fire of
his antagonist, who for that purpose is allowed half a minute; if he
allows a longer time to elapse, he must be disarmed by the seconds.
68. In the pistol duel, called _à ligne parallèle_, two parallel lines
are traced by the seconds fifteen paces from each other, and from
thirty-five to twenty-five paces in length.
69. The combatants are placed at the extremity of each line, fronting
each other.
70. The seconds stand behind their principals in a situation that may
not expose them to the fire of the parties. The signal is given by the
word “March.”
71. The combatants then advance, not upon each other, but in the
direction of the line that has been traced for them; and, therefore,
whether one of the adversaries has advanced or not, he will, find
himself placed at fifteen paces from the other.
72. The champion who fires must stop; but he may halt without firing,
take aim, and continue to advance.
73. In the pistol duel called _au signal_, the signal is to be given
by the second of the offended party by three claps on the hand, three
seconds being counted between each clap, which will take up nine
seconds; or two seconds, which will take up six seconds. In other
cases, the seconds draw lots for giving the signal.
74. The combatants, when they have received their arms, are to walk,
but keep the muzzles of the pistols pointing to the ground; at the
first signal they will raise their arms, take aim at the second
signal, and fire simultaneously at the third.
75. If one of the combatants fires before the third signal, or half a
second after it, he is to be considered as a dishonourable man, and,
if his antagonist is killed, an assassin; and if he fires before the
signal without effect, his opponent has a right to take as much time as
he thinks proper to level at him and shoot him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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