Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-04-25

Il
don't know the rights and wrongs Of
this quarrel. but this boats mine and
l won't have Il. You'll oblige me-
Lord Darlington. by giyin' me that
pistol. And you. sir turning to
Strathgate. will do the like. when
| you get ashore I've naught TO say
about your actions. but here"
He held out his hand imperiously
for Lord Carr.ngton's pistol and mo
toned Cooper 70 take that of Lord
Strathgate.
The boat had shot up into the
wind and lay idly rocking. practically
! drifting. Cooper's cutter had been
shaken OF and was a floating wreck
some distance away. Cooper had a
distinct interest in the quarrel. for he
muttered:
You're right. Haight. there can't be
no shootin here. Yonder gentleman
might get bullet in his in'ards and
then who'd pay me for my sunken
boat?"
Strathgate interrupted with a laugh.
one OF those irritating laughs that
! drove Darlington nearly frantic:
| Did you arrange all this with the
captain of your boat. Darlington? p"
! queried Strathgate rs this a bit OF
brayado, with the appearance Of this
worthy sailor at the proper mo-
ment?"
Curse YOU" cried Darlington. leap
ing mp to windward. Come up TO
windward With you"
He leveled his pistol fun at Strath-
gate. having sprung clear Of the hud-
| die OF men who happened TO be 90
leeward. Strathgate had followed his
movements and two shots rang out ST
| mutaneously Quick as had been the
rush OF the two men, however. the
sailors had followed suit Haght
threw himself upon Darlington and
bore him back against the low rail,
nearly throwin- him overheard. while
Cooper struck Strathgate's arm such
a violent blow as dee pulled the trig-
ger that his pistol was hurled back
wards and fell into the sea
Haight was the FIRST TO recover HIM
SELF
Gentlemen he said fin tones that
Indicated he had come to a final de
cision. you've had If out now and
there's got o. De no more Of it. Tn
| less you give me YOUR word" he said.
turning TO Straiheate. and YOU give
me yours. Lord Darlington. TO abide
| peaceably in the boat until we get
ashore. SO help nae God! I'll lash you
down 60 a ring bolt with a rope.
and"
There's naueht for H." returned
/ "a rrfn rfnr, r-r..-r. r.f-srf f-~,-r-,4 f-r..,
his hand. had been taken possession
OF by one OF the men. but to give
YOU the promise. for you have my
pistol. the other has gone overheard
and while have a sword Lord Strath-
gate is without a weapon"
"Oh. YOU have my word. too" said
Strathgate carelessly.
He'll keep the forward end OF the
boat and you'll stay aft. my lord. "
said Haight to Darlington. and now
wen put back 20 harbor."
My lord Strathgate amused himself
during the hours that elapsed before
he and Darlington were landed at the
same wharf whence they had taken
their departure. by humming graceful
little tunes. whistling merry little airs
and in general disporting himself as
II he were having a delightful time.
My lord Darlington. who had more
at stake. was gloomy and silent lie
did not cast a glance In the direction
OF his brother earl reclining on the
deck forward until the vessel was
made fast TO the wharf. Then he
| sprang out and touched Strathgate
on the shoulder
I'VE have matters OF moment 70
settle, my lord" began Darlington
grayely, and II were better that we
settle them quietly as gentlemen
which one Of US at least is"
Il agree with you in that proposi
ton" returned Strathgate bowling.
I'VE shall doubtless find friends IN
Portsmouth and may conclude our ar
rangements without the unseemly IN
terruptons OF brawling seamen."
"Brawling seamenT" growled Haigh
under his breath. The only peaceabl'
people aboard the cutter were Coopei
and myself and the men"
Il am staying at the Blue Boar.
said Strathgate gravely.
Il also" returned Darlington.
Very well. shall await q visi
from your friends as soon as may b.
convenient"
There are men on the ships yon
der" said Darlington gravely, 'brothe
officers OF mine. One OF them vii
call upon you forthwith"
S.rathgate bowed but made no othe
reply as he walked away toward TIT
inn.
Darlington stayed a moment or TIVE
longer TO complete arrangements 70
paying for the boat he had destroyed
and then with a heavy heart, turne,
toward the town. He was in a ter
r-ible state. He had had no sleep tn
night before. lie had ridden both da.
and night. The chase OF the morning
had not conduced TO quiet his nerves
and the insults Of Strathgate, whom
punculho kept him from picking al
in his arms and breaking as he woul,
stick. had not rendered him an,
more easy His first duty was to &c
something o. eat and 10 refresh him