Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-11-10

| VIII w ho'hihS VI WV
The best thing you can do is to shoot
your whelp and save me the trouble OF
doing sol" and the Major tapped
his gun suggestively.
"Then all l can say" came slowly
from the Colonel's lips, sis that you
are no gentleman"
The Major started rs if he had been
stung. For the instant he did not re-
alize the import of the words. Then
a dull flush crept into his cheeks, usu-
ally very sallow, and he said concise
ly: "You are a liar
The fatal words were spoken.
The color leaped into
the Coloners face, and the Major S
flush grew deeper while his eyes re-
turned the flash in those of the other.
The two faced each other in silence for
moment. Each was so 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 Major replied with the slightest
ofbows.
II have a 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 triRe,
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 shufiing Of
feet, which gradually became more
distant. A little later a white-haired
old colored man came into view.
"D'yo call, Marse Kunn'l?" he
asked, stopping at the edge of the
bushes and scraping with one foot
while he fingered battered straw hat.
"Yes," said the Colonel. you
know those pistols of mine in my
dressing Fetch them 10 mel'
''Yo' dewelin pistils?"
'Yes. Be quick !"
The colored man looked at the men
in turn. He noted the attitude Of each
and the look in their faces.
'Yo' amt goin' t fight, Marse?' he
ventured anxiously, not moving.
That's none of your business, you
rascal" thundcred tho Colonel.
CO.,
An instant theicolorod man stood,
neryously playing with his hat-brim.
Then he turned and moved away.
The two men did not look at eNch
other. Somehow they disliked 70.
The Major stood his gun against the
fence, and took long time to arrange
it TO his liking. The Colonel stripped
the leaves from twig he broke from
a bush. Each had his back toward the
other. The minutes went by. But at
last there was slow step and Israel
came mp. He came reluctantly, MS II
he hoped that time would cause
them to change their minds He
looked hopefully at them; but saw no
encouragement. Both the Colonel
and the Major appeared as coolly de-
termined as could be, though the
color had gone from their cheeks.
Israel could not prevent deep sigh
of despair, which the Colonel heard.
"Shut up!' he muttered savagely.
"Give me those pistols" "Will the
grove suit you?" he asked, turning to-
ward the Major.
Perfectly" /" said the latter and the
three took up their way, the Colonel
leading, the Major next and, Israel, at
his masters command, bringing up the
rear and dragging his feet as though
they were weighted. A few minutes
of walking, and they came to a small
open space surrounded by trees. The
Colonel halted and faced about.
"Will this do?" he asked.
eyes !" said the Major simply.
"There is NJ advantage in position,
l believe. Th5 sun shines across the
glade?'
"Nonel'
"But we had better toss for posi-.
tions anyhow" said the Colonel, and
he deftly tipped coin into the air.
The Major called ''heads ;"and ''heads"
it was.
81 will take the southern end" he
said The Colonel bowed acquies-
cence.
81 presume You will be satisfied il
Israel attends TO the loading?' the
Colonel remarked. HE has done it
before with the slightest of smiles.
"Quite !" returned the Major, ignor-
ing the last words.
"Then, Israel, load those pistols,
and do it carefully" commanded the
Colonel. "Do you hear me2" as Israel
stood gaping Mt him with q terror
stricken face.
eyes, Marsel mumbled Israel,
picking mp the weapons mechanically.