“But then,” replied Gascoigne, delighted at the idea, “how are they to fire?”

“It certainly is not of much consequence,” replied the gunner; “but still, as sailors, it appears to me that they should fire with the sun—­that is, Mr. Easy fires at Mr. Biggs, Mr. Biggs fires at Mr. Easthupp, and Mr. Easthupp fires at Mr. Easy, so that you perceive that each party has his shot at one, and at the same time receives the fire of another.”

Gascoigne was in ecstasies at the novelty of the proceeding.

“Upon my word, Mr. Tallboys, I give you great credit.  You have a profound mathematical head, and I am delighted with your arrangement.  I shall insist upon Mr. Easy consenting to your excellent and scientific proposal.”

Gascoigne went out and told Jack what the gunner had proposed, at which Jack laughed heartily.  The gunner also explained it to the boatswain, who did not very well comprehend, but replied, “I daresay it’s all right.  Shot for shot, and d——­ all favours!”

The parties then repaired to the spot with two pairs of ship’s pistols, which Mr. Tallboys had smuggled on shore; and as soon as they were on the ground, the gunner called Mr. Easthupp.  In the meantime, Gascoigne had been measuring an equilaterial triangle of twelve paces, and marked it out.  Mr. Tallboys, on his return with the purser’s steward, went over the ground, and finding that it was “equal angles subtended by equal sides,” declared that it was all right.  Easy took his station, the boatswain was put into his, and Mr. Easthupp, who was quite in a mystery, was led by the gunner to the third position.

“But, Mr. Tallboys,” said the purser’s steward, “I don’t understand this.  Mr. Easy will first fight Mr. Biggs, will he not?”

“No,” replied the gunner; “this is a duel of three.  You will fire at Mr. Easy, Mr. Easy will fire at Mr. Biggs, and Mr. Biggs will fire at you.  It is all arranged, Mr. Easthupp.”

“But,” said Mr. Easthupp, “I do not understand it.  Why is Mr. Biggs to fire at me?  I have no quarrel with Mr. Biggs.”

“Because Mr. Easy fires at Mr. Biggs, and Mr. Biggs must have his shot as well.”

“But still, I’ve no quarrel with Mr. Biggs, and therefore, Mr. Biggs, of course you will not aim at me.”

“Why, you don’t think that I’m going to be fired at for nothing?” replied the boatswain.  “No, no; I’ll have my shot, anyhow!”

“But at your friend, Mr. Biggs?”

“All the same, I shall fire at somebody, shot for shot, and hit the luckiest.”

“Vel, gentlemen, I purtest against these proceedings,” remarked Mr. Easthupp.  “I came here to have satisfaction from Mr. Easy, and not to be fired at by Mr. Biggs.”

“So you would have a shot without receiving one?” cried Gascoigne.  “The fact is that this fellow’s a confounded coward.”

At this affront, Mr. Easthupp rallied, and accepted the pistol offered by the gunner.