Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1894-05-11

'Israel Israeli -
There was no reply, and again ho
raised his voice. This time there was
an answering call and shufiling of
feet, which gradually became more
distant. A little later white haired
'old colored man came into view.
"D'yo call, Marse Kunn'l?" he
asked, stopping Mt the edge of the
bushes and scraping with one foot
while he fingered battered straw hat.
eyes," said the Colonel. ''You
know those pistols of mine i'll my
dressing case! Fetch them to. me"
"Yo' dewelin pistils?"
eyes. Be quick ~
Tho colorcd man looked at the men
i'll turn. He noted the attitude OF each
and the look in their faces.
"Yo' mint goin' t. fight, Marsc:' he
ventured nnXiously, not moving.
'"rhnts none of your business, you
rascal 7" Numbered the Colonel
"Go"
An instant the colorcd man stood,
uervously playing with his hat-brim.
Then he turned and no I'd away.
The two men did not look ut each
other. Somehow they dislikcl to.
The Major stood his gun against the
fence, and tool, long time to arrange
it to his liking. The Colonel stripped
the leaves from twig he broke from
II bush. Each had his back toward the
other The minutes went by. But Mt
last there WAS Il slow step and Israel
came up. He came reluctantly, ns if
he hoped TINT time would cause
them to change their minds. He
looked hopefully Mt them but saw no
encouragement. Both the Colonel
aud the Major appeared as coolly de-
termined rs could be, though the
color had gone from their cheeks.
Israel could not prevent deep sigh
"Shut up!' he muttered snvngely.
"Give me those pistols" evil 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, Mt
his masters command, bringing up the
rear and dragging his feet rs though
they were weighted. A few minutes
of walking, and they came to small
open space surrounded by trees. The
Colonel halted and faced about.
Twill this do?" he asked.
"fes!' said the Mnjor simply.
"rhere is no advantage in position,
I believe The sun shines across the
gladc?"
"Nonc!"
"Bnt We had better toss for posi-.
tions anyhow" said the Colonel, and
he deftly Tipped n coin into the air.
The Major called "hcads land heads"
it was.
~ will take the southern end" he
said. The Colonel bowed ncquics-
cence.
~ presume you will be satisfied if
Israel attends to the londing?" the
Colonel remarked. "He has done il
before with the slightest of smiles.
"Quite!' returned the Major, ignor-
ing tho last words.
"Then, Israel, load those pistols,
mud do it cnrefnlly!" commanded the
Colonel. "Do you hear me ?" us Israel
stood gaping at him with terror
stricken face.
eyes, Mnrsei" mumbled Israel
picking up the weapons mechanically.
He moved over 10 n nearby stump,
and for IL minute snt motionless with
The pistols in his lap. The Colonel's
thunderous tones brought him to
movement He glanced ut The two
men standing stillly at some distance
from each other. Then suddenly he
began to load the pistols The Col
onel, seeing him proceeding with the
task, turned to the Major.
"ren paces?" he asked
The Major nodded, an the ether was
irritnted more than ever by his silence
but he went on. 1--WE will put the
pieces under Gsrael's hat. Then we
will draw them! Are Won nrreed?"
He clipped OF his words rs he con-
tinued, "Isrncl will count. On the
three, we will FREQ
This time the Major vouchsafed
agreement in words
A minute more md Israel came for
ward slowly with the pistols, one in
either hand. At the Coloncl's order,
he Ind them on fallen trce-trunk and
placed his Int over them. The Major
drew one; his opponent took the other.
The two men took position back to
back, and then moved away five PAGES
and wheeled about SO as to face each
other.
''Israel, said the Colonel bit husk-
lily, Count one, two, three, and, if
am killed, see that I am decently
buried! !"
Ths Major WINGED perceptibly ut
} this lust order; but the next instant
was rs calm and his face as impressive
rs ever. Both men raised their pistol
) arms, and, strange to say, there was at
least momentary tremor of the hands
and nervous twitching of the lips MS
they looked into each others eyes.
"One!" counted Israel. The pistols
stcadied and came into limo with the
) breasts of the men.
; Two" Israel pronounced the word
distinctly, so that it cut sharply or
tt.f.r L.