powerful government would be criminal to wait even for a pretext; but they should exclaim with Ancient Pistol : 666 The world's mine oyster, And they should do it, too, regardless It level, and covered only by the dry, Wharton walked up and down for a few moments, and gave an anxious look, every now and then, in the direction from which he expected Fitz Osborne would come. "It is time they were here," said he, as he stopped and looked at his minutes longer, if they don't make their appearance!" "Well, Leonard," said Fitz Osborne, "I will give you the credit of drawing the least obvious conclusions from facts, and for taking the most singular views of governmental policy, of any man I ever heard or knew. But we will watch; "we shall wait but fifteen postpone the argument of your propositions to another occasion; for, in discussing the scientific merits of war, we have permitted so much of our time to slip away from us, that we shall have to make the horses work hard, in order to be on the ground according to appointment. Are you ready?" "Quite," said the doctor, as he put on his hat, and took up his case of instruments. "But, in case any accident should happen to you, Fitz Osborne, my friend, it would be a great consolation for me to know that you have been convinced that Great Britain in her wars acted only for the advancement of science." "Give them half an hour," said Carrol, "to allow for difference of watches, and for accidents." "We are the challenged party," said Wharton; "they should have been here before us, or, at any rate, they should have been punctual to the very moment. I wonder whether Fitz Osborne intends to show the white feather?" When Fitz Osborne and his friends "Elkton, take charge of the pistols, appeared on the ground, the parties if you please," said Fitz Osborne, as exchanged a formal salutation, and he went out without gratifying the soli-passed to a short distance from each citude of his medical friend. The next moment they all got into the carriage, and drove off at a rapid rate. other. "Your friend is late, sir !" said Wharton to Elkton, as that gentleman approached him. Francis Carrol and Edward Wharton were first on the ground. The spot which had been selected for the duel, was one remote from any habitation. It was an angle of a small wood that had long been cleared; it was perfectly now." one turned to look at Carrol; but he still remained standing, and untouched, with his pistol directed towards Fitz Osborne's breast, and his eye covering his person. A close observer might have discovered a slight tremor creep over Fitz Osborne, when he perceived that he had missed his man. Wharton and Elkton retired for a lips, when Fitz Osborne fired. Every few moments, to consult; and while they were gone, Carrol threw off his cloak and buttoned his coat up to the chin. Fitz Osborne entered into conversation with Doctor Leonard, and talked and laughed with an assumption of perfect unconcernedness; though the pallor of his countenance, and the furtive glances he threw at the seconds, showed that his feelings resembled any others more than those of indifference. The seconds loaded the pistols and placed them in the hands of their principals. Wharton measured off the ground, and placed Fitz Osborne ; while Elkton did the same for Carrol. Wharton was to give the word. "Gentlemen," said Wharton, "you will not raise or lower your weapons until you hear the word. I will then repeat the words, one-two-three-and while I am speaking, you will fire. The man who fires after I have pronounced the word, three-I shoot him down!" "For God's sake! be calm," said he, approaching Carrol, and speaking low; "I am about to give the word." Carrol answered only by a meaning smile. Fitz Osborne had his eyes fixed on his adversary from the moment he had taken his station; and he did not remove them, even for a second. "Gentlemen, are you ready?" said Wharton, walking to one side, where Elkton and Doctor Leonard already were. "Two!" said Wharton. The suspense became agonizing. Before the next word could be pronounced, every one expected to see Fitz Osborne extended on the grass, and weltering in his blood: but, just as Wharton was about to call out, three! Carrol threw up his arm, and, firing in the air, remarked at the same time, loud enough to be heard, "I give you your life, sir!" "Are you mad, Carrol?" exclaimed Wharton, rushing up to him. "He was too much at my mercy, and I could not fire," said Carrol; "but my generosity will punish him as severely as if I had shot him.” "Suppose he demands another fire ?" said Wharton. "Then," replied Carrol, the color mounting to his face, while his eye flashed with a lightning glance, "I will hit him if I can. "Foolish! foolish! to double the chances against yourself," said Wharton; "but it can't be helped now. Is your friend satisfied, sir?" said he, addressing Elkton, as he crossed over to where he and Fitz Osborne were con They both answered in the affirma- versing with considerable animation. tive. "Fire!" said Wharton; "one-" The word had scarcely passed his "I am sorry to say that he is not," replied Elkton ; "he demands another fire." "What!" exclaimed Wharton, "after Mr. Carrol has thrown away his shot, and declined firing at him?” ""Twas his own fault, sir," said Fitz Osborne; "I desired no favor at his hands, and I am determined not to give any." "I fired too quickly," Fitz Osborne observed to Elkton, as Wharton returned to Carrol to communicate their determination; "that was the reason I missed him. But he shall not escape me a second time." The pistols were again carefully loaded, and placed in the hands of the principals. "For Heaven's sake! and for mine, if not for your own, do not trifle with your life a second time," said Wharton to Carrol. "You see the spirit that animates your antagonist, and what you have to expect from him." "Do not be anxious on my account," said Carrol, "for he shall not enjoy the same impunity again, if I can help it." "Are you ready, gentlemen?" said Wharton, when he had taken his former position. "Ready!" they replied. Before he could pronounce-two, the crack of Carrol's pistol was heard; and almost simultaneously with it, Fitz Osborne threw his arm wildly on one side, and his pistol went off. He staggered back a few paces, and was supported by Elkton and Doctor Leonard, who hastened to his assistance. "It is nothing," said Fitz Osborne, as he endeavored to resume his erect attitude; but finding that he could not raise his arm, he permitted his coat to be removed, and allowed the wound to be examined. The ball had penetrated the fleshy part of the right arm, just below the shoulder. It struck him a second before he intended to fire, and consequently the discharge of his pistol had been entirely an involuntary act. Carrol remained on the ground until he ascertained that the wound, though severe, was not fatal, or very dangerous; but that it would prevent any further prosecution of the quarrel; and then, with Wharton, he returned to the city with the greatest expedition, leaving Fitz Osborne to follow at his leisure with his friends. END OF VOL. I. |