s the table, I saw the sneer upon his lips. I had but entered a moment before the dining-room of the i

here was a laugh from those about. An angry flush showed through even his dark and swarthy

udent puppy!" h

the brim, and ere he could say another word the re

ith the compliments of J

e wine and swearing many oaths, demanded to be released from the ha

opportunity," I replied coolly. "It will be

er their services and to thank me. Rodolph's overbearing manners had long been unpopular among them, and the wonder was that he had not been forced to fight before. But I was determined

stols, there came a rap on my door, and two gentlemen entered;

, as he advanced and bowed, "it is my pa

eturning his courtesy. "Lieutenant Ringgold and Harry Gresham

afe from interruption, Gresham having volunteered with Dick to be one of my second

are to fight to-morrow morning at sunrise

s, I s

n Brooke said that Rodolph had broken his arm the year before, and that it was

s deadly. I have put a bullet through the head of a

u can,"

dy tinged with crimson, and the blood-red lances across the heavens told of the coming dawn. The air was fresh and coo

ng to die on," sa

e on, too,"

ggold. We walked on silently to the meadow, wh

ay through the flesh, and the sudden, sharp pain of the sword thrust, I shall never forget that encounter on the mead

ace as a man among men. No longer would my boyish face keep me out of the councils of my elders, but I would have the right to take my stand and ruffle it with the best of them all. I was there to win my spurs as a man and a duellist, and to show to all the world

Indian-like, and forbidding than ever; behind him stretched away the small glade, and the smooth green waters of the river, as they wound their way between the tall forests on either side. I remember watching a wild duck as he went swiftly flying down the Elk, when Dick Ringgold's "Are you ready?" suddenly recalled me to my position. "Yes," I nodded. Then came the even counting, "One, two;" but ere "two" had been uttered, I saw the flash of Rodolph's pistol, and felt the sharp pain

, Dick," said I, "and

fight with such a scoun

at, just on

ad come forward to inquire as to my injury, but Dick met him and demanded another exchange of shots. "My principal," he said, "waives the treachery that places

n of honour to be the second of such a principal, he could do nothing but ac

gestures that he was warning Rodolph of the penalty if

ven through his swarthy skin. "One, two, three, Fire," came again the fateful words; but I had nerved myself for t

before my eyes, my hand fell to my side, and I remembered nothing more. They told me afterward that they carried me to the inn in the village, Captain Brooke assisting, afte