31. If any person shall by word, message, letter, or any other way, challenge another to fight a duel, with a rapier, or small-sword, back-sword, pistol, or other dangerous weapon, or shall accept a challenge, although not duel be fought, or knowingly be the bearer of such challenge, or shall any way abet, prompt, encourage, persuade, seduce, or cause any person to fight a duel, or to challenge another to fight a duel, every person so offending shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be punished by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or imprisonment at hard labor not exceeding two years, or both; and further if any person shall engage in, and fight a duel with another, with a rapier, or small-sword, back-sword, pistol or other dangerous weapon, although death does not thereby ensue, or shall be a second in any such duel, then and in such case every person so offending shall be adjudged to be guilty of a high misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be punished by fine, not exceeding one thousand dollars, or imprisonment at hard labor, not exceeding four years, or both; and shall not after such conviction, hold any office of profit or trust under this state.