ot unmingled with a sentiment of admiration.

"Dismount, then! Take your pouch an' flask along wi' ye--ye see I've
got myen? One shot at ye's all _I'll_ want, I reck'n. But ef thur shed
be a miss, look out for quick loadin'! an' mind, mister! thur's one o'
us'll niver leave this clarin' alive."

"About the first shot? Who is to give the signal?"

"I've thort o' that a'ready. It'll be all right, promise ye."

"In what way can you arrange it?"

"This way. Thur's a hunk o' deer-meat in the house: I mean to fetch
that out, and chuck it over thur, into the middle o' the clarin'. Ye
see them buzzarts up thur on the dead-woods?" I nodded in the
affirmative. "Wal--it won't be long afore one or other o' them flops
down to the meat; an' _the first o' 'em that touches ground, that'll be
the signal_. That's fair enuf, I reck'n?"

"Perfectly fair," I replied, still speaking mechanically--for the very
justness of the proposal rendered my astonishment continuous.

I was something more than astonished at the altered demeanour of the
man. He was fast disarming me. His unexpected behaviour had subdued my
ire; and, all consideration of consequences apart, I now felt a complete
disinclination for the combat! Was it too late to stay our idle strife?
Such was my reflection the moment after; and, with an effort conquering
my pride, I gave words to the thought.

"Yur too late, mister! 'twon't do now," was the reply to my pacific
speech.

"And why not?" I continued to urge; though to my chagrin, I began to
perceive that it _was_ an idle effort.

"Yuv riz my dander; an', by God! yuv got to fight for it!"

"But surely--"

"Stop yur palaver! By the tarnal airthquake, I'll 'gin to think _you_
air a coward! I thort ye'd show, the white feather afore 'twur all
over!"

"Enough!" cried I, stung by the taunt; "I am ready for you one way or
the other. Go on."

The squatter once more entered his cabin, and soon came out again,
bringing forth the piece of venison. "Now!" cried he, "to yur stand!
an' remember! neyther fires _till a bird lights on the grown_! Arter
that, ye may go it like blazes!"

"Stay!" said I; "there is something yet to be done. You are acting
honourably in this affair--which I acknowledge is more than I was led to
expect. You deserve one chance for your life; and if I should fall it
will be in danger. You would be regarded as a murderer: that must not
be."

"What is't you mean?" hurriedly inter