The principals raised their caps and then walked one side, while Merriam and myself shook hands, and then I was introduced to the surgeon, Doctor Michael O’Haraty, a genuine specimen of an Irish gentleman.

“We arranged the distance yesterday, and there is nothing to be settled but who shall give the word,” Merriam said.

“Don’t let that bother your brains, for I’ll do that without, the asking.  Ah, it’s many a signal I’ve given, and sometimes they’ve bin fatal ones, too,” the doctor said.

I agreed to that, and then calling Smith, I desired Merriam to make choice of the rifle which he liked best.  He was some time selecting, but at length hit upon mine, thus leaving Fred at liberty to use his own weapon.

“I use the same size balls that you do,” I said, selecting one from some half a dozen that Smith held in his hand.

I carefully loaded Fred’s rifle, and offered to assist Merriam, but he declined; and even when I told him that he had got a third more powder than was necessary, he did not heed my advice, and perhaps I was glad that he did not.

“Now, thin,” cried the doctor, “do you take hold of this tape line, my man, and we’ll measure off twenty rods in a jiffey.”

Smith, who was appealed to, did as he was directed, and in a short time we had our men stationed and waiting for a signal which I longed for, yet dreaded.

Fred looked a shade paler, but he was as firm as a rock; and when I shook hands with him and handed him his rifle, I could not discover the least tremor of nerves, or any unusual agitation.

“If I should fall,” Fred said, once more shaking me by the hand, “you will find in the letter which is directed to you, full instructions how to dispose of my effects.  God bless you, Jack; I never loved you half as well as I do now.”

I brushed away a tear, and with a voice choked by emotion asked if there was any thing which he wished to say before the word was given.

“I did think,” he replied, examining his adversary’s bearing, “that I would fire over his head; but I see that he is bent on mischief, and is determined to kill me, if possible.  Under the circumstances I think that I shall do no great wrong if I touch him slightly.”

“Do as you please,” I replied, stepping back, and joining the doctor, who held a white handkerchief in one hand and his snuffbox in the other.

“Let me speak to Mr. Fred before you give the signal?” asked Smith.

“Not a word, my man,” returned the doctor, regaling his nose with a pinch of snuff, and scanning the bearing of the men with evident delight.

“It’s beautiful they look,” murmured the doctor, in a low tone, and then elevating his voice, he continued, “the signal will be ’one, two, three,’ and then, the dropping of this handkerchief.  Mind, gentlemen, and reserve your fire until you see the handkerchief lave my hand.  Now, thin, are ye ready?”