Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1894-01-19

Il
Tho Major inclined his head trihe,
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 shutting of
feet, which gradually became more
distant. A little later n white haired
Fold colored man came into view.
"D'yo call, Nurse Kunn'l?" he
asked, stopping Mt the edge of the
bushes and scraping with one foot
while ho fingered battered straw hat.
eyes" said the Colonel. '.You
know those pistols of mine in my
dressing case Fetch them to mel"
"Yo' dewelin pistils?"
eyes. Be quick"
The colored man looked at the men
i'll turn. He noted the attitude Of each
and the look i'll their faces.
''Yo' amt goin' t. fight, Nurse" he
ventured nnxiously, not moving
THAT'S none of your business, you
rascalw Numbered the Colonel.
"Go!"
An instant the colored man stood,
nervously playing with his hat-brim
Then he turned and mo' ed away.
The two men did not look at each
other. Somehow they dislikcd to.
The Major stood his gun against the
fence, and took long time to arrange
it to his liking. The Colonel stripped
the leaves from twi9 he broke from
II bush. Each had his back toward the
other. The minutes went by. But at
last there was slow step and Israel
came up. He came reluctantly, MS if
lie hoped that time would cause
them to change their minds He
looked hopefully at them; but saw no
encouragement Both the Colonel
aud the Major appeared as coolly lie
termined rs could be, though the
color Ind gone from their cheeks.
Israel could not prevent deep sigh
of despair, which the Colonel heard.
"Shnt up!" he muttered savagely.
"Give me those pistolsl" "Wili the
) grove suit you?" he asked turning to-
, ward tho Major.
/ "Perfectly y 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 rs though
, they were weighted. A few minutes
of walking, aud they came to small
| open space surrounded by trees. The
. Colonel halted md faced about.
"Will this do ?" he asked
"Yes!' said the Major simply.
There is no advantage in position,
believe The sun shines across the
, glnde?"
H\onni"
"But We had better toss for posi-.
tions anyhow" snid the Colonel and
, ho deity dipped coin into the mir.
The Major called 'heads ;''and "heads"
, it was.
: 81 will take the southern cnd," he
, said The Colonel bowed acquies-
cencc.
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 r, ignor-
, ing tho last words.
''Then, Israel, load those pistols,
) aud do it carefully!" commanded the
, Colonel. "Do you hear meg" rs Israel
, stood gaping mt him with terror
$ ayes, Mnrse! !" mumbled Israel,
picking up the weapons mechanically.
He moved over to n nearby stump,
and for minute sat motionless with
l the pistols in his Imp. The Colonel's
2 thundcrous tones brought him to
movement He glanced ut the two
men standing stiflly Mt some distance
from each other. Then sudden'y lie
. began to load the pistols. The Col
= onel, seeing him proceeding with the
task, turned to the Major.
2 "ren paces?" he asked
s The Major nodded, MI the Their was
n irritated more than ever Ivy his silence
I but he went ON. eve will put the
a pieces under Israel'a hat Then we
D will draw them! Are you a3raed?"
tinued, "Israe will count. On the
: three, we will fire."
t This time the Major vourhsafed
agreement in words.
minute more and Israel came for
[ ward slowly with the pistols, one in
either hand. At the Colonel's order,
: he laid them on fallen tree-trunk and
l placad his hat over them. The Major
: drew one; his opponent took the other.
t 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 L
g am killed, see that I am decently
1 buried!"
e The Major WINGED perceptibly at
e this lust order; but the next instant
t was as calm and his face as impassive
a rs ever. Both men raised their pistol
e arms, and, strange to say, there was at
least momentary tremor of the hands
il and nervous twitching of the lips as
f they looked into each others eyes.
t Gone !" counted Israel. The pistols
I steadied and came into line with the
S breasts of the men.
8 "rwo!" Israel pronounced the word