"I will pull your nose the next time I see you," was the message he sent
to his Lordship, who had no alternative but to meet in a duel or to be
subjected to continuous annoyance from the doughty Osbaldeston.
Colonel Anson was named as Lord George's second and the meeting-place
was at Wormwood Scrubs at six a.m. The weapons were pistols and the
antagonists stood twelve steps apart.
The Squire was a real country sportsman, a fine horseman and a dead
shot, his skill with the pistol was such that he could kill pigeons
flying and rarely missed, whereas the elegant Lord George was more at
home in the boudoir and was unaccustomed to pistol-practice. Osbaldeston
had given it out that he would put a bullet through his opponent, which
was a rumour not pleasant to reach Lord George's ears.
It was through the finesse of Colonel Anson that the affair ended as it
did. By agreement he was to count up to three and when he called the
last number both men were to fire.
"One" was uttered with great deliberation.
"Two, three" the Colonel called out in rapid succession, so that the
Squire was taken unawares and his shot went an inch or two above Lord
George's hair, piercing his hat.
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