t was rough on the poor devil that you
happened to hit him in the chest; but that's something you are not
responsible for; after all, the challenge came from him. And now let's
have a good breakfast, for my stomach rebels against this raw air. I
am not accustomed to knock about the woods so early in the morning."

"I feel sincerely sorry that I hit the major so unluckily," replied
Kolberg; "but I didn't mean to, and the devil take the women! It's
always their doing. I don't know anyway what made me take up with that
silly Kahle woman!"

"Don't bother your head about that, my dear fellow," said Borgert.
"The major alone is to blame, for he ought to have looked out better
for that handsome wife of his. And as for her, she is not worth a
thought, as we all know. One must treat a woman as she deserves."

Borgert's specious eloquence succeeded in a short while in dispelling
the clouds from Kolberg's face, for to his callous perceptions all
that the other had said was true. That there were heartless and vulgar
sentiments contained in Borgert's words he neither understood nor
cared about.

So these worthy twain proceeded to their hotel, donned citizens'
clothes, and then repaired to a fashionable restaurant. The waiters
received them with sleepy eyes, being just engaged in putting the
place to rights; for it was still very early in the day, and they
looked at their guests with something of amazement.

The two officers started in on their round of dissipation with several
glassfuls of neat brandy, and wound up, late at night, in a resort of
doubtful repute. Whoever might have observed them throughout the day,
joking and jesting, could not have helped the conclusion that these
two had clearly forgotten the events of the morning, and that they had
recovered, together with their peace of mind, that superficial good
humor which so often distinguishes the conscienceless rascal from the
man of finer mould.

Next day, at noon, our two heroes arrived at their garrison. They were
received with open arms by a number of their comrades, for the rumor
of what had occurred had preceded them.

A group of officers, in fact, stood on the platform of the little
station as they left their train, and after much handshaking and
congratulations, all of them accompanied Kolberg to his dwelling,
there to celebrate his triumph in a "drop" of choice wine.

But there were some of the officers, especially the elder ones, who
censured Kolberg for