Peter Simple | Page 7

Bible from the waiter, and read it during the remainder of the day.
CHAPTER FOUR.
I AM TAUGHT ON A COLD MORNING, BEFORE BREAKFAST,
HOW TO STAND FIRE, AND THUS PROVE MY
COURAGE--AFTER BREAKFAST I ALSO PROVE MY
GALLANTRY--MY PROOF MEETS REPROOF--WOMEN AT THE
BOTTOM OF ALL MISCHIEF--BY ONE I LOSE MY LIBERTY,
AND, BY ANOTHER, MY MONEY.
When I began to wake the next morning, I could not think what it was
that felt like a weight upon my chest, but as I roused and recalled my
scattered thoughts, I remembered that in an hour or two it would be
decided whether I were to exist another day. Before I was dressed, the
midshipman who had volunteered to be my second came into my room,
and informed me that the affair was to be decided in the garden behind
the inn, and that my adversary was a very good shot.
I dressed myself and followed my second into the garden, where I
found all the midshipmen and some of the waiters of the inn. They all
seemed very merry, as if the life of a fellow-creature was of no
consequence. The seconds talked apart for a little while, and then
measured the ground, which was twelve paces; we then took our
stations. I believe that I turned pale, for my second came to my side and
whispered that I must not be frightened. I replied that I was not
frightened, but that I considered that it was an awful moment. The
second to my adversary then came up and asked me whether I would
make an apology, which I refused to do as before; they handed a pistol

to each of us, and my second showed me how I was to pull the trigger.
It was arranged that at the word given, we were to fire at the same time.
I made sure that I should be wounded, if not killed, and I shut my eyes
as I fired my pistol in the air. I felt my head swim, and thought I was
hurt, but fortunately I was not. The pistols were loaded again, and we
fired a second time. The seconds then interfered, and it was proposed
that we should shake hands, which I was very glad to do, for I
considered my life to have been saved by a miracle.
The next day my chest arrived by the waggon, and I threw off my
"bottle-greens" and put on my uniform. I had no cocked-hat, or dirk, as
the warehouse people employed by Mr Handycock did not supply those
articles, and it was arranged that I should procure them at Portsmouth.
When I inquired the price, I found that they cost more money than I had
in my pocket, so I tore up the letter I had written to my mother before
the duel, and wrote another asking for a remittance to purchase my dirk
and cocked-hat. I then walked out in my uniform, not a little proud, I
must confess.
I had arrived opposite a place called Sally Port, when a young lady very
nicely dressed, looked at me very hard and said, "Well, Reefer, how are
you off for soap?" I was astonished at the question, and more so at the
interest which she seemed to take in my affairs. I answered, "Thank
you, I am very well off; I have four cakes of Windsor, and two bars of
yellow for washing." She laughed at my reply, and asked me whether I
would walk home and take a bit of dinner with her. I was astonished at
this polite offer, and I said that I should be most happy. I thought I
might venture to offer my arm, which she accepted, and we proceeded
up High Street on our way to her home.
Just as we passed the admiral's house, I perceived my captain walking
with two of the admiral's daughters. I was not a little proud to let him
see that I had female acquaintances as well as he had, and, as I passed
him with the young lady under my protection, I took off my hat, and
made him a low bow. To my surprise, not only did he not return the
salute, but he looked at me with a very stern countenance. I concluded
that he was a very proud man, and did not wish the admiral's daughters

to suppose that he knew midshipmen by sight; but I had not exactly
made up my mind on the subject, when the captain, having seen the
ladies into the admiral's house, sent one of the messengers after me to
desire that I would immediately come to him at the George Inn, which
was nearly opposite.
I apologised to the young lady, and promised to return immediately if