e too far to be stopped without blood-letting, I
think," replied Merriam, shaking his head, "although with some men I
should not yet give up all hope of a pacification."

He shook me warmly by the hand as he took his departure, and I was left
alone to meditate on the disagreeable duty which I had assumed for my
best friend. I little thought, at the time I was so calmly making the
arrangements for the duel, that his adversary, Lieutenant Wattles, had
already killed two men, in spite of his youth, and that a more
determined duellist did not exist on the island.

I had just mixed a strong glass of punch, and was about to raise it to
my lips, for the purpose of looking cheerful when Fred returned, when I
heard his voice.

"Ah, that is stealing a march on us, old boy," he shouted, pleasantly.
"Here have we been parading the dusty streets of Melbourne, and my eyes,
ears, and mouth are filled with dirt and cobble stones. However, we saw
nothing of the city, for such clouds of dust filled the air that we had
to hire a boy with a lantern to lead us home. Hand me the bottle, for
I'm famished for want of a drink."

While he was filling his glass, he ran on, talking about half a dozen
subjects, and it was not until Smith asked the result of the interview,
that he would be quiet enough to listen to my communication.

"I have arranged every thing," I said. "We are to use the rifles, and
meet to-morrow morning early."

"And did you make no attempts at a reconciliation?" demanded Smith,
reproachfully.

"Don't answer that question, Jack," Fred said, seriously. "I placed my
life and honor in your hands, and I am satisfied that you dealt with me
as though I were a brother."

I grasped his extended hand, and for a few moments we sat thus, without
exchanging a word, both buried in thought and conjuring up reminiscences
of the past, when a few months before we had left Boston to search for
gold in California, and then, actuated by a spirit of adventure, had
emigrated to Australia, still cherishing the hope of returning home with
riches and with honor.

"I shall write a few letters to-day, Jack," Fred said, at length. "One
of them will be addressed to you, and if any thing should happen you
will find full directions how to dispose of the few things which I own."

"Let me meet the man," blubbered Smith. "I'm of no account, and if
killed, shan't be missed, while both of you have something to live for."

"It cannot be," replied Fred