Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-02-18

cation was such that it offered little OF
no advantage, 1t was regarded by Pan
cho as good omen.
"You will kill him, senor." he said ir
a confidential aside. He seemed to re
gard Pendleton as quite as bloodthirsty
us himself "Is it your first duel?" he
added presently.
Eyes"
"Your nerves are like steel. You
will triumph. know 1t. Cara. but
will bc glad"
The enthusiasm Of this stranger
strangely enough. communicated Itself
to Pendleton. He began to believe that
he would be successful. He knew per.
fectly well that Romero always shot to
kill and that If the bullet touched him
It would doubtless find q fatal spot
Until he was actually on the ground
| be had believed himself doomed. but
now be remembered that he was him.
self q perfect marksman, and. aided by
the suggestions Of Pancho, he knew
that he would have the advantage In
weapon. 1t remained for him to touch
the trigger the instant he heard the as.
pirated It"
The necessary prellminaries were
soon completed. AS Pancho had proph-
esied. the case of pistols belonging to
Romero was placed on the ground for
Pendleton to make selection. and, STEP
ping up carelessly, he pointed to the
one on the farther side. Agramonte
leaned forward and touched the one
nearest him. but Pendleton said Qul-
etly:
mot that one, captain; the other"
The weapons were quickly supplied
with powder and ball. the principals
were directed to their positions and the
pistols placed in their hands. At the
moment Of selection Pendleton had
glanced In the direction Of his oppo-
nent. He saw an angry scowl fit across
his face, and from that instant he be-
lieyed the battle to be his. The sensa-
ton reminded him Of time long be-
fore when his favorite horse had taken
the bit In his teeth and started at q
mad pace along the boulevard in New
York, at that time thronged with car.
riages; how hopeless he had felt for a
moment and the reaction that came
when suddenly the bit was freed and he
regained control Of the animal and per-
feet confidence in bis power to master
the incident. That quick glance at Ro-
nero accomplished the, same result
Coats, waistcOats and suspenders
were removed. Pendleton and Romero
stood facing each other. Agramonte
asked II they were ready and gave
them the stereotyped instructions.
standing directly between them while
he did so.
II shall walk ten PAGES at right an.
gle from your positions" he said calm
ly. 81 will then pause and turn. When
l turn. [ will say. Attention! and aft.
prward the words. 'Uno. dos. tres At
the word tres you will fire. Beware
lest either fire in advance Of the word.
II either principal is wounded and still
desires to continue the combat. the
privilege belongs 10 him. but no more
han three shots each will be permitted.
Are you readyT"
The seconds responded in the affirm
stive. Agramonte began his slow
counting Of ten PAGES; he turned; there
was an instant of silence. and then
sharply and clearly on the crisp morn
Ing air sounded the OminOus words:
"Attencion! Uno! Dos! Tres"
The reports Of the two pistols sound
ed like one. There was a brief interval
after that. during which both men
stood like statues facing each other.
Then, without warning, Romero's legs
gave way beneath him, and he crashed
to the ground on the very spot where
he had stood. His own friends ran to-
ward him. while Agramonte hurried to
PendietOn's side.
Romero Is not dead" said the Amer
lean. speaking rapidly. 81 did not kill
him, but he will not want a second
shot. The bullet is through his hips.