The Code of Honor | Page 6

is ended by the seconds, as mentioned
in the sixth rule of this chapter, the parties refuse to meet and be
reconciled, it is the duty of the seconds to withdraw from the field,
informing their principals, that the contest must be continued under the
superintendence of other friends. But if one agrees to this arrangement
of the seconds, and the other does not, the second of the disagreeing
principal only withdraws.
9. If either principal on the ground refuses to fight or continue the fight
when required, it is the duty of his second to say to the other second: "I
have come upon the ground with a coward, and do tender you my
apology for an ignorance of his character; you are at liberty to post
him." The second, by such conduct, stands excused to the opposite
party.
10. When the duel is ended by a party being hit, it is the duty of the
second to the party so hit, to announce the fact to the second of the
party hitting, who will forthwith tender any assistance he can command
to the disabled principal. If the party challenging, hit the challengee, it
is his duty to say he is satisfied, and will leave the ground. If the
challenger be hit, upon the challengee being informed of it, he should

ask through his second, whether he is at liberty to leave the ground
which should be assented to.
CHAPTER VI
. Who Should Be on the Ground.
1. The principals, seconds, one surgeon and one assistant surgeon to
each principal; but the assistant surgeon may be dispensed with.
2. Any number of friends that the seconds agree on, may be present,
provided they do not come within the degrees of consanguinity
mentioned in the seventh rule of
Chapter I
.
3. Persons admitted on the ground, are carefully to abstain by word or
behavior, from any act that might be the least exceptionable; nor should
they stand near the principals or seconds, or hold conversations with
them.
CHAPTER VII
. Arms, and Manner of Loading and Presenting Them.
1. The arms used should be smooth-bore pistols, not exceeding nine
inches in length, with flint and steel. Percussion pistols may be
mutually used if agreed on, but to object on that account is lawful.
2. Each second informs the other when he is about to load, and invites
his presence, but the seconds rarely attend on such invitation, as
gentlemen may be safely trusted in the matter.
3. The second, in presenting the pistol to his friend, should never put it
in his pistol hand, but should place it in the other, which is grasped
midway the barrel, with muzzle pointing in the contrary way to that
which he is to fire, informing him that his pistol is loaded and ready for
use. Before the word is given, the principal grasps the butt firmly in his
pistol hand, and brings it round, with the muzzle downward, to the
fighting position.
4. The fighting position, is with the muzzle down and the barrel from
you; for although it may be agreed that you may hold your pistol with
the muzzle up, it may be objected to, as you can fire sooner from that
position, and consequently have a decided advantage, which ought not

to be claimed, and should not be granted.
CHAPTER VIII
. The Degrees of Insult, and How Compromised
1. The prevailing rule is, that words used in retort, although more
violent and disrespectful than those first used, will not satisfy,--words
being no satisfaction for words.
2. When words are used, and a blow given in return, the insult is
avenged; and if redress be sought, it must be from the person receiving
the blow.
3. When blows are given in the first instance and not returned, and the
person first striking, be badly beaten or otherwise, the party first struck
is to make the demand, for blows do not satisfy a blow.
4. Insults at a wine table, when the company are over-excited, must be
answered for; and if the party insulting have no recollection of the
insult, it is his duty to say so in writing, and negative the insult. For
instance, if the man say: "you are a liar and no gentleman," he must, in
addition to the plea of the want of recollection, say: "I believe the party
insulted to be a man of the strictest veracity and a gentleman."
5. Intoxication is not a full excuse for insult, but it will greatly palliate.
If it was a full excuse, it might be well counterfeited to wound feelings,
or destroy character.
6. In all cases of intoxication, the seconds must use a sound discretion
under the above general rules.
7. Can every insult be compromised? is