“As you like,” said Orme, “if that pleases Mr. Cowles.”

“Perfectly,” said I, who indeed knew little about the matter.

Orme stepped over to the coops where the birds were kept—­splendid, iridescent creatures, with long tails, clean, gamy heads and all the colors of the rainbow on their breasts.  “By Jove!” he said, “they’re rippers for looks, and they should fly a bit, I’m thinking.  I have never seen them before, much less shot a race at them.”

“Still your advantage,” said I, laughing, “for I never shot a race at any sort in my life.”

“And yet you match against me?  My dear fellow, I hardly like—­”

“The match is made, Captain Orme, and I am sure Mr. Cowles would not ask for any readjustment,” commented Stevenson stiffly.

“Don’t understand me to wish to urge anything,” said Orme.  “I only wish it so we shall all have a chance at revenge.  Is there any one who wishes to back me, perhaps, or to back Mr. Cowles?  Sometimes in England we shoot at a guinea a bird or five, or ten.”  Stevenson shook his head.  “Too gaited for me at this time of the month,” he said; “but I’ll lay you a hundred dollars on the issue.”

“Five if you like, on the Virginian, sir,” said young Belknap of the Ninth to Orme.

“Done, and done, gentlemen.  Let it be dollars and not guineas if you like.  Would any one else like to lay a little something?  You see, I’m a stranger here, but I wish to do what will make it interesting for any of you who care to wager something.”

A few more wagers were laid, and the civilian element began to plunge a bit on Orme, word having passed that he was an old hand at the game, whereas I was but a novice.  Orme took some of these wagers carelessly.

“Now as to our referee, Captain,” said Stevenson.  “You are, as you say, something of a stranger among us, and we wish your acquaintance were greater, so that you might name some one who would suit you.”

“I’m indifferent,” said Orme politely.  “Any one Mr. Cowles may name will please me.”

His conduct was handsome throughout, and his sporting attitude made him many friends among us.  I suspect some Army money went on him, quietly, although little betting was now done in our presence.

“I see Judge Reeves, of the Supreme Court of the State, over there in a carriage,” suggested Major Williams.  “I’ve very much a notion to go and ask him to act as our referee.”

“God bless my soul!” said Orme, “this is an extraordinary country!  What—­a judge of the Supreme Court?”

Williams laughed.  “You don’t know this country, Captain, and you don’t know Judge Reeves.  He’s a trifle old, but game as a fighting cock, and not to mention a few duels in his time, he knows more even about guns and dogs to-day than he does about law.  He’ll not be offended if I ask him, and here goes.”

He edged off through the crowd, and we saw him engaged in earnest conversation with the judge.  To our surprise and amusement we observed the judge climb hastily down out of his carriage and take Major Williams’ arm.