g
to the death of one or both of the antagonists.

[68] Raleigh at one period of his life appeared to be an
inveterate duellist, and it was said of him that he had been
engaged in more encounters of the kind than any man of note
among his contemporaries. More than one fellow-creature he
had deprived of life; but he lived long enough to be
convinced of the sinfulness of his conduct, and made a solemn
vow never to fight another duel. The following anecdote of
his forbearance is well known, but it will bear repetition:

A dispute arose in a coffee-house between him and a young man
on some trivial point, and the latter, losing his temper,
impertinently spat in the face of the veteran. Sir Walter,
instead of running him through the body, as many would have
done, or challenging him to mortal combat, coolly took out
his handkerchief, wiped his face, and said, "Young man, if I
could as easily wipe from my conscience the stain of killing
you, as I can this spittle from my face, you should not live
another minute." The young man immediately begged his
pardon.

Two of the most notorious duels of modern times had their origin in causes
no more worthy than the quarrel of a dog and the favour of a prostitute:
that between Macnamara and Montgomery arising from the former; and that
between Best and Lord Camelford from the latter. The dog of Montgomery
attacked a dog belonging to Macnamara, and each master interfering in
behalf of his own animal, high words ensued. The result was the giving and
accepting a challenge to mortal combat. The parties met on the following
day, when Montgomery was shot dead, and his antagonist severely wounded.
The affair created a great sensation at the time, and Heaviside, the
surgeon who attended at the fatal field to render his assistance if
necessary, was arrested as an accessory to the murder, and committed to
Newgate.

In the duel between Best and Lord Camelford, two pistols were used which
were considered to be the best in England. One of them was thought
slightly superior to the other, and it was agreed that the belligerents
should toss up a piece of money to decide the choice of weapons. Best
gained it, and at the first discharge, Lord Camelford fell mortally
wounded. But little sympathy was expressed for his fate; he was a
confirmed duellis