iffey."

Smith, who was appealed to, did as he was directed, and in a short time
we had our men stationed and waiting for a signal which I longed for,
yet dreaded.

Fred looked a shade paler, but he was as firm as a rock; and when I
shook hands with him and handed him his rifle, I could not discover the
least tremor of nerves, or any unusual agitation.

"If I should fall," Fred said, once more shaking me by the hand, "you
will find in the letter which is directed to you, full instructions how
to dispose of my effects. God bless you, Jack; I never loved you half as
well as I do now."

I brushed away a tear, and with a voice choked by emotion asked if there
was any thing which he wished to say before the word was given.

"I did think," he replied, examining his adversary's bearing, "that I
would fire over his head; but I see that he is bent on mischief, and is
determined to kill me, if possible. Under the circumstances I think that
I shall do no great wrong if I touch him slightly."

"Do as you please," I replied, stepping back, and joining the doctor,
who held a white handkerchief in one hand and his snuffbox in the other.

"Let me speak to Mr. Fred before you give the signal?" asked Smith.

"Not a word, my man," returned the doctor, regaling his nose with a
pinch of snuff, and scanning the bearing of the men with evident
delight.

"It's beautiful they look," murmured the doctor, in a low tone, and then
elevating his voice, he continued, "the signal will be 'one, two,
three,' and then, the dropping of this handkerchief. Mind, gentlemen,
and reserve your fire until you see the handkerchief lave my hand. Now,
thin, are ye ready?"

Wattles and Fred braced themselves as though expecting a shock, drew
their caps a little more over their eyes, and signified that they were.

"One!" cried the doctor, in a loud voice.

The duellists brought their rifles to their shoulders, fully cocked.

"Two!" exclaimed the doctor.

The rifles were levelled, and eager eyes glanced along the tubes.

"Three!"

For a second after the word was spoken the doctor held the white
handkerchief aloft; but as it slowly fell towards the ground, there was
but one report, so closely did they fire together.

I had not taken my eyes from Fred, and to my joy I saw that he did not
move. I glanced towards Wattles. He had dropped his rifle and was
rubbing his right arm, which hung down powerless by his side.

"By the mass," cried the doctor, g