three were saved on
the island, three were lost in the second mate's boat, two died and
were buried; six died and were eaten, and one was shot and eaten.

So ends this strange tragedy of the sea.

[1] A tradition still current in Nantucket has it that the lot fell to
the captain, whereupon his nephew, already near death, feeling that he
could not survive the afternoon, offered and insisted upon taking his
uncle's place. I doubt this.

{245}

II

Some Famous American Duels

We are accustomed to regard our country as peculiarly law-abiding and
peaceful. This, in spite of the fact that three presidents have been
murdered within the last forty-five years, a record of assassination of
chief magistrates surpassed in no other land, not even in Russia. We
need not be surprised to learn that in no country was the serious duel,
the _combat a l'outrance_, so prevalent as in the United States at one
period of our national development. The code of honor, so-called, was
most profoundly respected by our ancestors; and the number of eminent
men who engaged in duelling--and of whom many lost their lives on the
field--is astonishing. Scarce any meeting was without its fatal
termination, perhaps owing to the fact that pistols and rifles were
generally used, and Americans are noted for their marksmanship.

There has been a revulsion of public sentiment which has brought about
the practical abolition of duelling in America. Although the practice
still obtains in continental European countries, it is here regarded as
immoral, and it is illegal as well. For one reason, in spite of the
apparent contradiction above, we are a law-abiding people. The genius
of the Anglo-Saxon--I, who am a Celt, admit it--is for the orderly
administration of the law, and much of the evil noted comes from the
introduction within our borders {246} of an imperfectly assimilated
foreign element which cherishes different views on the subject.
Another deterrent cause is a cool common sense which has recognized the
futility of trying to settle with blade or bullet differences which
belong to the courts; to this may be added a keen sense of humor which
has seen the absurdity and laughed the practice out of existence. The
freedom of the press has also been a contributing factor. Perhaps the
greatest deterrent, however, has been the development of a sense of
responsibility for life and its uses to a Higher Power.

As General Grant has put it, w