all right."

"But then," replied Gascoigne, delighted at the idea, "how are they to
fire?"

"It certainly is not of much consequence," replied the gunner, "but
still, as sailors, it appears to me that they should fire with the sun;
that is, Mr Easy fires at Mr Biggs, Mr Biggs fires at Mr Easthupp,
and Mr Easthupp fires at Mr Easy, so that you perceive that each party
has his shot at one, and at the same time receives the fire of another."

Gascoigne was in ecstasies at the novelty of the proceeding, the more so
as he perceived that Easy obtained every advantage by the arrangement.

"Upon my word, Mr Tallboys, I give you great credit; you have a
profound mathematical head, and I am delighted with your arrangement.
Of course, in these affairs, the principals are bound to comply with the
arrangements of the seconds, and I shall insist upon Mr Easy consenting
to your excellent and scientific proposal."

Gascoigne went out, and pulling Jack away from the monkey, told him what
the gunner had proposed, at which Jack laughed heartily.

The gunner also explained it to the boatswain, who did not very well
comprehend, but replied:

"I dare say it's all right--shot for shot, and damn all favours."

The parties then repaired to the spot with two pairs of ship's pistols,
which Mr Tallboys had smuggled on shore; and, as soon as they were on
the ground, the gunner called Mr Easthupp out of the cooperage. In the
meantime, Gascoigne had been measuring an equilateral triangle of twelve
paces--and marked it out. Mr Tallboys, on his return with the purser's
steward, went over the ground, and finding that it was "equal angles
subtended by equal sides," declared that it was all right. Easy took
his station, the boatswain was put into his, and Mr Easthupp, who was
quite in a mystery, was led by the gunner to the third position.

"But, Mr Tallboys," said the purser's steward, "I don't understand
this. Mr Easy will first fight Mr Biggs, will he not?"

"No," replied the gunner, "this is a duel of three. You will fire at
Mr Easy, Mr Easy will fire at Mr Biggs, and Mr Biggs will fire at
you. It is all arranged, Mr Easthupp."

"But," said Mr Easthupp, "I do not understand it. Why is Mr Biggs to
fire at me? I have no quarrel with Mr Biggs."

"Because Mr Easy fires at Mr Biggs, and Mr Biggs must have his shot
as well."

"If you have ever been in the company of gentlemen, Mr Easthupp,"
observed Gascoigne, "you must know somethin