I should have been taunted--branded as a coward and
poltroon! The rude character of my adversary would have been no excuse
especially after the manner in which he was acting. "Backed out" would
have been the universal verdict! Moreover, notwithstanding the
apparently calm demeanour the squatter had now assumed--courteous I
might almost call it--I knew he was implacable in his determination.
There was no alternative--_I must fight_!

I arrived at the stump; and turning on my heel, stood facing him. He
was already in his place--with the joint of venison in one hand, and his
long rifle in the other. The moment was nigh, when one of us should
make an abrupt exit from the world!

Such a destiny, for one or other of us, I saw depicted in the impassible
face of my adversary--as plainly as if written upon the sky. I could
read there, that there was no chance of escaping the combat; and I
resigned myself to meet it.

"Now, mister!" cried my antagonist in a clear firm voice, "I'm agwine to
chuck the meat. Remember! neyther's to fire, till a bird lights on the
ground! Arter that, ye may go it like hell!"

I saw him swing the joint once or twice round his head; I saw it jerked
aloft, and then whirling through the air; I saw it falling--falling,
till the sodden sound told that it had reached the ground. It was a
fearful moment!

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

WAITING THE WORD.

In truth was it a fearful moment--one to shake the steadiest nerves, or
thrill the stoutest heart. To me, it was an ordeal far more terrible
than that of an ordinary duel; for there was, lacking the motive--at
least on my side--which usually stimulates to an affair of honour.
Sense of wrong I felt, but too slightly for revenge--not enough to steel
the heart to the spilling of blood. Anger I _had_ felt but the moment
before; and then I could have fought, even to the death! But my blood,
that had boiled up for an instant, now ran coldly through my veins. The
unexpected behaviour of my adversary had calmed my wrath--acting upon it
like oil upon troubled water.

Thus to fight without seconds; to die without friend to speak the last
word of worldly adieu; or to take the life of another, without human
being to attest the fairness of the act--no earthly eye beholding us--no
living creature save the black vultures--appropriate instruments to give
the death-signal--ominous witnesses of the dark deed: such were the
appalling reflections that came bef