Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/110

 the southern states, cities, and swamps. It sometimes extends as far north as lat. 40°. In rainy seasons, and during a long westerly wind, it is more fatal than common. In Charleston, it is said not to be contagious. Its first symptoms are a pain in the back and head; then a vomiting of black fluid, resembling coffee grounds; a mortification next ensues, and the patient dies quickly and easily in about three days after its commencement.

My friend, Mr. Kelsall, a visitor at my hotel, states that he lately met at the Planter's hotel a party of thirteen gentlemen, eleven of whom had each killed his man in duels. A military officer, living in this city, kept a mistress, who knew and disliked the friend of her gallant, then living at New Orleans, and of whom she said many evil things to her gallant, which he fully credited. The New Orleans friend was then instantly challenged by letter, to which he answered personally, saying the charge against him was false, and, in explaining, he could prove it to be so. They met, and the New Orleans man, with the first shot, killed the accuser; and that, says my informant, deservedly. The survivor went up to shake hands with the dying man. "No," said he, with a bitter {90} oath, "Have I missed you?" The seconds then asked him what were his last wishes. "I have a pair of pistols, given me by a brave fellow, and I should be sorry that they should fall into the hands of a coward; put them, I pray you, into my coffin with me." The point of honour is maintained here in high perfection. A scoundrel, who has cheated his creditors, if reproached with it, calls out his man and kills him if he can.

28th.—I quitted for ever Sullivan's pleasant isle of myrtles, a sure refuge from pestilential heat and poisonous mosquitoes, in the hot, sandy, stinking city of Charleston,