The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-05-09

OF the crew. by meeting you ID
way, but III do It. Herel'
he extended one of the pistols.
II would prefer a choice" said
strathgate, not extending his arm TO
take it.
"As you WILL" returned Darlington,
extending both Of them to him. you
honor me in doubling my good faith,
he remarked as %Strathgate took one
Of the pistols. "Halght," said Caring.
ton, take your station amidship, out
Of range, and count three. There
shall be no firing done by either Of US
until after the word three Are you
agreed, Lord Strathgate?"
Entirely" returned the other, step
ping forward.
But Master Haight did not propose
to have his vessel turned into a field
Of honor, which would be a field Of
blood. He interposed a vigorous OBJ
lection.
Gentlemen" he began, "I1l have no
murder done here"
There shall be none" said Caring
ton. "'Tis a fair duel with each man
a chance for his life"
Il don't know about that, my mas
ters," returned the sailor, "but l say
this: This boats mine, I'm the cap
tain Of 1t, and I'll have no ightin'
aboard, Savin' yer honors' graces, it
can't be done, You agree with me,
Cooper? You, Jack? You, Ned?"
GAY, ay," returned the others, clos.
ing about Haight and in~terposing be
tween the would-be %combatants.
Gentlemen" continued Haight, who
was not without a certain decision Of
character, Il swear to God there ain
goin' to be no lghtin' on this boat.
don't know the rights and wrongs o
this quarrel, but this boats mine anC
l won't have it. You'll oblige me
Lord Darlington, by givin' me tina
pistol. And you, sir" turning t.
Strathgate, will do the like. Whei
you get ashore I've naught to sa.
about your actions, but here"
He held out his hand imperiousl,
for Lord Carrington's pistol and me
toned Cooper to take that Of Lore
strathgsts
The boat had shot up into thC
: wind and lay idly rocking. PRACTICABLE
drifting. Cooper's cutter had beer
shaken off and was a floating wrecl
some distance away. Cooper had
distinct interest in the quarrel, for h
muttered:
+ you're right, Haight, there can't b.
! no shootin' here. Yonder gentleman
: might get a bullet in his in'ards an,
then who'd pay me for my sunke.
boat?"
S~trathgate interrupted with a laugl
one of those irritating laughs tina
drove Darlington nearly frantic;
It did you arrange all this with tn
captain Of your boat, Darlington?
queried strathgate. is this a bit
bravado, with the appearance Of tn
a, worthy sailor at the proper m
ment?"
:" Curse you!" cried Darlington, lea
ing up to windward, Come up
x windward with you"
ID He leveled his pistol full at STRAIT
gate, having sprung clear of the hu
~ die of men who happened to be
ly leeward. S~trathgate had followed h
at movements and two shots rang out
multaneously. Quick as had been Il
rush of the two men, however, Il
sailors had followed suit. Haig
Up threw himself upon Darlington al
" bore him back against the low ra
d, nearly throwing him overheard, viii
ID Cooper struck Strathgate's arm su,
a violent blow as he pulled the tri
le ger that his pistol was hurled bac
wards and fell into the sea-.
If Haight was the first to recover hi
he self.
re Gentlemen" he said in tones tn
indicated he had come to a final
cision, you've had 1t out now a
nr there's got to be no more Of it. I
less you give me your word" he sa.
turning to S%trathgate, "and you 81
me yours, Lord Darlington, to abb
peaceably in the boat until we e
ashore, so help me Godl I'll lash y
ld down to a ring bolt with a rol
&c and"
p, There's naught for It," return
= Darlington whose pistol, knocked fro
e. his hand, had been taken p%ossessi
> Of by one Of the men, "but to 81
gu you the promise, for you have
pistol, the other has gone oyerboa
and while / have a sword Lord Stra
3" gate is without a weapon"
Sc ooh, you have my word, too" 81
?, Strathgate earelessly.
Hell keep the forward end of I
boat and you'll stay aft, my lor0
-le said Haight to Darlington, "and n
to well put back to harbor."
My lord Strathgate amused hims
pit during the hours that elapsed bef'
he and Darlington we're landed at
same wharf whence they had tar
I'll their departure, by humming grace
zee little tunes, whistling merry little a
and in general d%isporting himself
90 I 49,. - IATrMlNFn ffs.Aa