ies.

"Not so agreeable an occasion as when we last acted together in the
field, Major Macdonnel; I'd sooner be clearing the course for my
friend's horse, than measuring the ground for his fire."

"True, indeed, Major Longsword; true, indeed. Don't you think you're
putting your friend a leetle too much under the shade? I don't
know--perhaps not--but a foot or two off the trees gives a more equal
light; that's it."

"I believe we're ready now--eh, Major?"

"Quite ready, Major. We'll have it over in two minutes."

"I say, Major," and the other Major whispered; "Blake's just under
the small bush there, I hope you won't want him."

"Thank ye, Major, thank ye--I hope not."

"And, Major, there can be no necessity for a second shot, I
think--eh? Brown won't want a second shot, will he?"

"Not at all, Major, not at all; a trifling thing like this--we'll
have it over now in a double crack, eh?"

"True, Major, true; put your man up, and I'll give the word."

And the Majors put up their men with great dexterity, and the word
was given. They both fired, each at his adversary, but each without
attempting to cover the other. Brown's ball whistled harmlessly
away without approaching within any dangerous proximity of the
Counsellor's body; but not so Webb's; it was very evident Jonas
was hit, for his body gave a spasmodic jerk forwards, his knees
bent under him, and his head became thrown back somewhat over his
shoulders. He did not fall himself, but his hat did; he dropped his
pistol to the ground, and inserted both his right and his left hand
under the tails of his coat.

Mr. Brown indulged a notion, whether correctly or not I am unable to
say, but one which I believe to be not uncommon, that by presenting
his side instead of his front to his adversary's fire, he exposed
fewer vital parts to danger; and if destiny intended him to be
wounded, he certainly, in the present instance, was benefited by the
above arrangement, for he received the bullet in perhaps the least
dangerous part of his body.

Mr. Brown was a stout, compact man, well developed and rounded in
the fuller parts of his body; he piqued himself somewhat on the fair
proportions of his nether man; he was also somewhat of a dandy; and
had come out this morning, as, I believe, was the custom on such
occasions, nearly full dressed; he had on a black dress coat, black
waistcoat, and black well fitting trousers; and as he turned his side
to the Counsellor, he dis