ot particularly weak, but I'm not strong
enough to stand many of those."

Ephraim grinned all over his long face.

"Oh, them things come natteral like with me," he said. "I kin reel 'em
off by ther yard when I git started. Folks up aour away say I'm ther
funniest critter that ever growed in them parts."

"Well, you have agreed to meet Mr. Dunnerwust?"

"Yep."

"The meeting must take place without delay, so there may be daylight
enough for its consummation."

"Is that anything good to eat?"

"What?"

"Consummation."

"Not exactly."

"Didn't know but 'twas. Sally Golander up aour way she went to Boston,
an' when she kern home she told abaout havin' consummation soup, ur
something of that sort. Say, you'd oughter seen that air gal arter she
got back from Boston! She put on more style than a prize pig at a
caounty fair, by gum! Why, you couldn't touch her with a ten-foot
pole! She walked as ef she'd fell daown an' stepped on the small of
her back, and she ripped open ther sleeves on ev'ry one of her dresses,
an' bought caliker an' stiffenin' an' stuff ter put inter 'em to make
'em swell aout like a blowed-up bladder. I tell you she did cut an
amazin' fast pace in aour taown."

"You are wandering from the issue," said Frank. "I presume you will be
ready to proceed to the scene of the duel in a few moments?"

"Ready any time."

"All right. Choose your second."

"Whut do you mean by that?"

"You have to have somebody to look out for you and see that you have
fair play."

"By chaowder! Ephraim Gallup kin look aout for hisself, an' don't you
fergit it!"

"But it is absolutely necessary that you have a second."

"I'll act for Mr. Gallup," said Sammy Smiles. "He may depend on me to
stand behind him as long as he stands in front of me."

"You'll do well ez anyboddy."

"All right, Mr. Smiles," said Frank, with a wink at Sammy. "Come
aside, and we will make all arrangements."

It did not take long to make arrangements; but, as every one who knew
about it was anxious to see the fun, it was not a little difficult for
them all to get out of camp without attracting too much attention.
There was a strip of woods close by, however, and the boys succeeded in
vanishing into this cover one by one, after which they soon hastened to
the spot where the encounter between Dunnerwust and Gallup was to take
place.

The seconds took good care to have the two principals on hand, and
Barney Mulloy was there