The Columbus journal., 1893-11-22


where the crushed rails showed that
its head and feet had been at work.
AS his eye fell upon the broken fence,
he again indulged in some highly
favored remarks, and followed them
with an encouraging yell to the
hound. Inspired by this. the dog
promptly bit the heifer in the flank.
nearly tumbling it over in the gap of
the fence and drawing from it cry of
distress. The colonel dashed forward
to urge on the hound, hut just as he
reached the fence there was q shot
from the bushes. and the hound came
scurrying back. its tail between its
legs. At almost the same instant a
man emerged from be-
hind q tree-trunk little way of and
ran forward. al the while endeavor-
ing to pour powder and shot into the
barrel of the gun which he carried.
At the fence-gap he confronted
Colonel Beebe. There was q mutual
start as the men recognized each other.
Then the colonel recovered himself.
Major Hawkins!' he broke out; Il
believe you have shot my hound?"
Il have done that verv thing!' re-
turned the major with decision.
'.And let me add. sab, that / shall re-
peat the performance every time that
brute of yours chases my cattle"
The major and he were old cronies,
and. thought both were hot -blooded.
they had never had serious falling
out, and the colonel tried hard to re-
strain his temper. But this was the
third time that the majors heifer had
broken down the fence separating the
properties and made havoc with the
colonei's garden. The latter felt that
patience we'll nigh hadDceased to be a
virtue. particularly no'v in view of the
majors threats
Major Hawkins" he began, and
there was q Significance in the use of
the title; Il have no wish to foment
any trouble; but most positively l
shall not allow that cattle of yours
on my place again. See that she is
kept of, please! As to shooting my
dog, sab; that is q matter which only
an apology from you can recompense
me for, and trust you will render me
one immediately"
II will do nothing of the kind! The
best thing you can do is to shoot your
whelp. and save me the trouble of do
ing so!'' and the major tapped his gul
suggestively.
"Then ali I can say" came slowly
from the coloners lips, sis that you
are no gentleman!'
The major started as if he had been
stung. For the instant he did not
realize the import of the words. Then
. dull flush crept into his cheeks,
usually very sallow, and he said con-
cisely: ''You are liar, sah!'
The fatal words were spoken. The
color leaped into the Colonel's face. and
the majors flush grew deeper while his
eyes returned the fash in those of the
other. The two faced each other in
taken aback that for the instant the
insult of the other could find no
adequate return in speech.
Then the colonel drew himself up
and said icily:
..You can understand that this
means only one thing?"
The ma jor replied with the slightest
of bows.
II have pair of pistols at my
house." continued the colonel. "With
your permission will send for them.
The sooner this is settled. the better?'
The major inclined his head a trifle,
and the other turned and called:
Israel. Israeli.
There was no reply, and again he
raised his voice This time there was
an answering call and shufiiing of
feet, which gradually became more
distinct A little later a white-haired
old darkey came into view.
''D'yo call, marse kunn'l? he asked.
at the edge of the bushes and
with one foot while he finger
ed battered straw hat.
.'Yes," said the colonel. "You
know those pistols of mine in my
Fetch them to me:'
''Yo dewelin pistols?'
"Yes- BE quick
The darkey looked at the men in
turn. lie noted the attitude of each
and the look in their faces.
''io' amt goin' { fight, marsc? he
ventured anxiouslv, not moving.
That's none of your business, you
rascal-' thundered the colonel. '1io!'
An instant the darkey stood. nerv-
ously playing with his hat-brim.
Then he turned and moved away.
The two men did not look at each
other. Somehow they disliked to.
The ma jor stood his gun against the
fence, and took "a long time to arrange
IL 10 his liking The colonel stripped
the leaves from twig he broke from
q bush. Each hl his back toward
the other. The minutes went by. But
at last there WAS q slow step, and
Israel came up. lie came reluctantly.
as if he hoped that time would cause
them TO change their minds He
looked hopeful y at them: but saw no
encouragement Both the colonel and
the ma jor appeared As cooily deter
mined as could be. though the color
had gone from their checks
Israel could mol prevent a deep sigh
Of despair. which the colonel heard.
Shut up. yOu black imp ne NUT
tered savagely. Give me those pis-
tols. will the grove suit ,Ou?- he
asked. turning toward the major.
Perfectly" sal, the latter and the
three took up their way. the colonel
leading, the major next and Israel. at
ms masters command. bringing up
the rear and dragging his feet as
though they " re weighted A few
minutes of walking. AMI they came to
a small open space surrounded by trees.
The cOlOne. halted and faced about
'Wiii this do?" he asked.
Yes, said tn. major simply.
There is no advantage in position.
/ believe The sun shines across the
glade?
None
''But we had better toss for posi-
tions anyhow" said the colonel, and
he deftly fipped a coin into the air.
The major called heads and
''heads" it was
Il will take the southern end. I" he
said. The colonel bowed acquiescen-e
=! presume You will be satisfied If
Isrxs: attend, 20 Tho loading?" the
,oloael remaraed. ''Hu has done it
bsiose r'-with The slightest o1 anils&