less discomposing to your duellist.  The surgeon threw himself on the grass and smoked his cigar.  Culpepper, quiet and thoughtful, leaned against a tree and gazed up the river.  There was a strange suggestion of a picnic about the group, which was heightened when the Colonel drew a bottle from his coat-tails, and, taking a preliminary draught, offered it to the others.  “Cocktails, sir,” he explained with dignified precision.  “A gentleman, sir, should never go out without ’em.  Keeps off the morning chill.  I remember going out in ’53 with Hank Boompirater.  Good ged, sir, the man had to put on his overcoat, and was shot in it.  Fact.”

But the noise of wheels drowned the Colonel’s reminiscences, and a rapidly driven buggy, containing Jack Folinsbee, Calhoun Bungstarter, his second, and Bill Masters, drew up on the ground.  Jack Folinsbee leaped out gayly.  “I had the jolliest work to get away without the governor’s hearing,” he began, addressing the group before him with the greatest volubility.  Calhoun Bungstarter touched his arm, and the young man blushed.  It was his first duel.

“If you are ready, gentlemen,” said Mr. Bungstarter, “we had better proceed to business.  I believe it is understood that no apology will be offered or accepted.  We may as well settle preliminaries at once, or I fear we shall be interrupted.  There is a rumor in town that the Vigilance Committee are seeking our friends the Starbottles, and I believe, as their fellow-countryman, I have the honor to be included in their warrant.”

At this probability of interruption, that gravity which had hitherto been wanting fell upon the group.  The preliminaries were soon arranged and the principals placed in position.  Then there was a silence.

To a spectator from the hill, impressed with the picnic suggestion, what might have been the popping of two champagne corks broke the stillness.

Culpepper had fired in the air.  Colonel Starbottle uttered a low curse.  Jack Folinsbee sulkily demanded another shot.

Again the parties stood opposed to each other.  Again the word was given, and what seemed to be the simultaneous report of both pistols rose upon the air.  But after an interval of a few seconds all were surprised to see Culpepper slowly raise his unexploded weapon and fire it harmlessly above his head.  Then, throwing the pistol upon the ground, he walked to a tree and leaned silently against it.

Jack Folinsbee flew into a paroxysm of fury.  Colonel Starbottle raved and swore.  Mr. Bungstarter was properly shocked at their conduct.  “Really, gentlemen, if Mr. Culpepper Starbottle declines another shot, I do not see how we can proceed.”

But the Colonel’s blood was up, and Jack Folinsbee was equally implacable.  A hurried consultation ensued, which ended by Colonel Starbottle taking his nephew’s place as principal, Bill Masters acting as second, vice Mr. Bungstarter, who declined all further connection with the affair.