He began to watch for the coming of the dawn, but before the darkness lifted he had risen from the bed and gone downstairs, where he made himself a cup of wretched coffee.  Then he blew out his candle and watched the gray light spread.  He was impatient now to be off, and fully an hour before the sun, set out for Boggs’, a tall, gaunt figure in the shadowy uncertainty of that October morning.  He was the first to reach the place of meeting, but he had scarcely entered the meadow when Fentress rode up, attended by Tom Ware.  They dismounted, and the colonel lifted his hat.  Mahaffy barely acknowledged the salute; he was in no mood for courtesies that meant nothing.  Ware was clearly of the same mind.

There was an awkward pause, then Fentress and Ware spoke together in a low tone.  The planter’s speech was broken and hoarse, and his heavy, bloodshot eyes were the eyes of a haunted man; this was all a part of Fentress’ scheme to face the world, and Ware still believed that the fires Hicks had kindled had served his desperate need.

When the first long shadows stole out from the edge of the woods Fentress turned to Mahaffy, whose glance was directed toward the distant corner of the field, where he knew his friend must first appear.

“Why are we waiting, sir?” he demanded, his tone cold and formal.

“Something has occurred to detain Price,” answered Mahaffy.

The colonel and Ware exchanged looks.  Again they spoke together, while Mahaffy watched the road.  Ten minutes slipped by in this manner, and once more Fentress addressed Mahaffy.

“Do you know what could have detained him?” he inquired, the ghost of a smile curling his thin lips.

“I don’t,” said Mahaffy, and relapsed into a moody and anxious silence.  He held dueling in very proper abhorrence, and only his feeling of intense but never-declared loyalty to his friend had brought him there.

Another interval of waiting succeeded.

“I have about reached the end of my patience; I shall wait just ten minutes longer,” said Fentress, and drew out his watch.

“Something has happened—­” began Mahaffy.

“I have kept my engagement; he should have kept his,” Fentress continued, addressing Ware.  “I am sorry to have brought you here for nothing, Tom.”

“Wait!” said Mahaffy, planting himself squarely before Fentress.

“I consider this comic episode at an end,” and Fentress pocketed his watch.

“Scarcely!” rejoined Mahaffy.  His long arm shot out and the open palm of his hand descended on the colonel’s face.  “I am here for my friend,” he said grimly.

The colonel’s face paled and colored by turns.

“Have you a weapon?” he asked, when he could command his voice.  Mahaffy exhibited the pistol he had carried to Belle Plain the day before.

“Step off the ground, Tom.”  Fentress spoke quietly.  When Ware had done as he requested, the colonel spoke again.  “You are my witness that I was the victim of an unprovoked attack.”