Then the pistols were loaded and primed, Van Ness taking one and Pendleton the other. As Van Ness started towards Colonel Burr he glanced hurriedly about. Not a person was in sight except the four so closely connected with this ever-to-be memorable affair of honor.

66

Mr. Pendleton then asked in clear and distinct tones, Gentlemen, are you ready?"

As he heard the question, Colonel Burr threw away his cigar, sprang to his feet, took his position at the place which had been marked for him, reached out his hand for the pistol which Van Ness passed to him and examined the trigger and priming with a critical eye.

General Hamilton also turned when he heard the inquiry, but he had been gazing so long in one direction that he was somewhat dazed by the change in the light, and he did not appear to see the weapon which his second extended to him. Finally he perceived it and said in a slow, deliberate manner, "I beg pardon for delaying you, but the direction of the light sometimes renders glasses necessary."

He then drew forth a pair of spectacles and adjusted them. Pendleton handed him the pistol for the second time and asked, "shall I set the hair trigger for you, General?

"No,” replied Hamilton in a decided tone. Meanwhile Colonel Burr, having finished the examination of his weapon, stood in an easy, graceful, and expectant attitude.

"Are you ready, gentlemen?" Mr. Pendleton again asked. General Hamilton drew himself up and for the first time looked directly at his antagonist. In an instant, a great change had come over the latter. Up to that moment he had been the gentleman, the courtier, the man of silk and velvet and scented powder. Now he was the warrior. The man of iron with nerves of steel. He fixed those wondrous eyes upon his lifelong

foe and Hamilton felt their force and fire. He could not return that glance, so he closed his eyes to shut it out.

Doctor Hosack, the attending surgeon, who had been concealed from sight behind the huge rock beside which Hamilton stood, suddenly entered the little clearing and said in a low voice to Pendleton, "I have left some of my instruments in the barge; it will take me but a few moments to get them." Pendleton nodded. As Doctor Hosack turned to depart he cast a keen glance at each of the contestants. A moment later he disappeared from sight. For a couple of minutes, it seemed an eternity to Hamilton, the four men stood in suspense.

Judge Pendleton's clear ringing voice then announced the rules which were to govern the firing.

At the word "Present" the parties were to fire simultaneously; if either failed to fire, his opponent's second was to count one! two! three! and if he failed to fire on the last number, he was to lose his shot.

Then for an instant there was a deathly silence. Even the little birds ceased their chattering and looked with wondering eyes at the unaccustomed scene.

From the master's lips fell the terrible word, "Present!" Hamilton raised his pistol and it was instantly discharged. No human witness can ever prove whether he aimed at his antagonist or fired wildly into the air. One point is certain, he fired before Colonel Burr did.

The flash and the report startled the feathered denizens of the forest, and spreading their wings they flew swiftly away. Gathered upon a distant tree, they chattered vehemently at this disturbance of their peace.

Burr did not wait for the numbered count. At the sound of Hamilton's pistol, he raised his own and fired. His shot took effect. The instant General Hamilton was struck he raised himself involuntarily on his toes,

turned a little to the left, and fell heavily upon his face.

As the second report died away, two men appeared above the brow of the declivity which led down to the water's edge. One was Doctor William Hosack, the surgeon, who ran hurriedly to the field to learn whether his services were needed. The other was Duke, a gigantic negro boatman, who on more than one occasion had borne the dead and dying from this same bloody field.

When he saw General Hamilton fall, a look expressive of regret passed over Colonel Burr's face, and he took a step forward as though he intended to approach and speak to the fallen man; but Van Ness grasped him roughly by the arm, pulled him back, and said in a stern voice: "The surgeon and the boatmen are coming. You must not stay here. You will be recognized."

As he said this, he threw a long cloak over Burr's shoulders, opened an umbrella with which he had provided himself, and with it drawn down over their heads so as to completely screen their faces from view, they quickly left the field.

Mr. Pendleton raised the General from the ground and held him in his arms. By this time Doctor Hosack had arrived. He knelt beside the wounded man and looked into his face which was lined with evidence of suffering, and was as pale as death. Opening his eyes Hamilton recognized Doctor Hosack and said in a weak voice:

"This is a mortal wound, Doctor."

He then relapsed into a state of unconsciousness. The doctor felt for his pulse but it was not perceptible. He then placed his ear to the wounded man's mouth, but there was no sound of breathing. Opening his clothing, he placed his hand upon his heart, but its beating could not be felt. To all outward appearances the unfortunate duellist was already a dead man.