is hour. We have at last met, and the time
for settlement between you and me, Justin McKenzie, has arrived. Here
in this out-of-the-way gorge, we will settle the grudge I hold against
you--we will see who shall live and who shall die!"

Alice Terry uttered a terrified cry.

"Oh! no! no! you must not fight--you _must_ not. It is bad--oh! so
awful wicked!"

"Excuse me, lady, but you will have no voice in this matter;" and the
miner's tone grew a trifle more severe. "Knew you the bitter wrong
done me by this young devil with the smooth face and oily tongue--if
you knew what a righteous cause I have to defend, you would say 'let
the battle proceed.' I am not one to thirst for the blood of my
fellow-men, but I _am_ one that is ever ready to raise my hand and
strike in the defense of women!"

Alice Terry secretly admired the stalwart young miner for this gallant
speech.

Fearless Frank, his face paler than before, an expression of remorse
combined with anguish about his countenance, and moisture standing in
either eye, assumed his quasi-erect attitude as he answered:

"Edward Harris, if you will listen, I will say all I have to say in a
very few words. You hate me because of a wrong I did you and yours,
and you want my life for the forfeit. I shall not hinder you longer to
your purpose. For two long years you have trailed and tracked me with
the determination of a bloodhound, and I have evaded you, not that I
was at all afraid of you, but because I did not wish to make you a
murderer. I have come across your path at last; here let us settle, as
you have said. See! I fold my arms across my breast. Take out your
pistol, aim steadily, and fire twice at my breast. I have heard enough
concerning your skill as a marksman to feel confident that you can
kill me in two shots!"

Ned Harris flushed, angrily. He was surprised at the cool indifference
and recklessness of the youth; he was angered that McKenzie should
think _him_ mean enough to take such a preposterous advantage.

"You are a fool!" he sneered, biting his lip with vexation. "Do you
calculate I am a _murderer_?"

"I have no proof that you are or that you are _not_!" replied Fearless
Frank, controlling his temper by a master effort. "You remember I have
not kept a watch upon your actions."

"Be that as it may, I would be an accursed dog to take advantage of
your insulting proposal. You must fight me the same as I shall fight
you!"

"No, Ned Harris, I will do no