iged for your offer, sir," said the Surveyor-General dryly.
"The other has served my turn, and must do so again."

"Sir Charles Carew will do me the honor to be my second?" asked the
Governor of that gentleman, who answered with a low bow, and a "The
honor is mine."

"Captain Laramore?" said the Surveyor-General.

"At your service, Major," cried the Captain, a dashing, black-a-vised
personage, with large gold rings in his ears, a plume a yard long in his
castor, and a general Drawcansir air.

"Will Captain Laramore fight?" inquired Sir Charles. "I have had the
honor of changing the date for sailing for several gentlemen of his
profession."

"Even so accomplished a swordsman as Sir Charles Carew is allowed to be,
hath yet a lesson to learn," said the doughty captain.

"And that is--"

"Pride shall have a fall--to-night."

Sir Charles smiled politely. "The ship that is anchored off yonder point
is yours, is it not? Would you not like to take a last look at her? Or
to leave instructions for your lieutenant and successor? There is time
for you to gallop to the point and back."

"Am I to have the honor of crossing swords with you, Colonel Verney?"
asked Mr. Peyton.

"No, sir!" exclaimed the vexed Colonel. "You are not! I wash my hands of
this foolish fray. William Berkeley, I have never scrupled to tell thee
when I thought thee in the wrong. I think so now. Charles, thou art an
impudent fellow! I have it in my mind to wish that the Captain may give
thee the lesson he talks of."

"Thank you, sir," drawled the gentleman addressed. "Mr. Peyton looks
quite disconsolate. Sink me! if it's not a shame to leave him out in the
cold. If he will wait his turn I will be happy to oblige him when I have
disposed of the Captain."

"You will do no such thing!" retorted his kinsman. "Mr. Peyton, take
your hand off your sword! At least there shall be two sane men at this
meeting. I suppose, gentlemen, you agree with me that this affair cannot
be kept too private? To that end you had best ride with me to Verney
Manor, and there have it out on this plot of ground Charles talks of. It
is at least retired."

"'Tis a most sweet spot," said Sir Charles.

"Good!" quoth the Governor. "And now that this little matter is settled,
I am once more, and for the present, sir, simply your obliged guest and
servant," and he bowed to the Surveyor-General.

Carrington returned the bow. "We will drink to our better acquaintance
to-night. Pomp