Burley had kept a public house for sailors at New Haven and had had the reputation of being a bad man in a quarrel.  Of just what happened there is a full account in a little army journal of that time called The Camp Gazette.  Burley aimed a blow at Solomon with his fist.  Then as Solomon used to put it, “the water bu’st through the dam.”  It was his way of describing the swift and decisive action which was crowded into the next minute.  He seized Burley and hurled him to the ground.  With one hand on the nape of his neck and the other on the seat of his trousers, Solomon lifted his enemy above his head and quoited him over the tent top.

Burley picked himself up and having lost his head drew his hanger, and, like a mad bull, rushed at Solomon.  Suddenly he found his way barred by Jack.

“Would you try to run a man through before he can draw?” the latter asked.

Solomon’s old sword flashed out of its scabbard.

“Let him come on,” he shouted.  “I’m more to hum with a hanger than I be with good vittles.”

Of all the words on record from the lips of this man, these are the most immodest, but it should be remembered that when he spoke them his blood was hot.

Jack gave way and the two came together with a clash of steel.  A crowd had gathered about them and was increasing rapidly.  They had been fighting for half a moment around the fire when Solomon broke the blade of his adversary.  The latter drew his pistol!  Before he could raise it Solomon had fired his own weapon.  Burley’s pistol dropped on the ground.  Instantly its owner reeled and fell beside it.  The battle which had lasted no more than a minute had come to its end.  There had been three kinds of fighting in that lively duel.

Solomon’s voice trembled when he cried out: 

“Ary man who says a word ag’in’ the Great Father is goin’ to git mussed up.”

He pushed his way through the crowd which had gathered around the wounded man.

“Let me bind his arm,” he said.

But a surgeon had stood in the crowd.  He was then doing what he could for the shattered member of the hot-headed Colonel Burley.  Jack was helping him.  Some men arrived with a litter and the unfortunate officer was quickly on his way to the hospital.

Jack and Solomon set out for headquarters.  They met Putnam and two officers hurrying toward the scene of the encounter.  Solomon had fought in the bush with him.  Twenty years before they had been friends and comrades.  Solomon saluted and stopped the grizzled hero of many a great adventure.

“Binkus, what’s the trouble here?” the latter asked, as the crowd who had followed the two scouts gathered about them.

Solomon gave his account of what had happened.  It was quickly verified by many eye-witnesses.

“Ye done right,” said the General.  “Burley has got to take it back an’ apologize.  He ain’t fit to be an officer.  He behaved himself like a bully.  Any man who talks as he done orto be cussed an’ Binkussed an’ sent to the guard house.”