The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-09-29
AINsLEE MAGAZINE COMPANY

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dent that on turning each successive
corner he would come In sight Of the
serene and i,domitable colonel: But
time and distance few by until at
length the tall trees bordering the
grove broke upon his vision, and as yet
his quarry had not been run 20 earth.
Nomentariiy perpleXed and mysti-
FED. the boy turned and scanned the
way by which he had come. Could he
have in some cryptic, manner passed
the other on the road. or, contrary TO
all expectation, had Moreau taken the
short cut. and was he even now in the
grove face 10 face with Cameo Kirby?
For immediate and conclusive answer
two pistol shots ratified out. shattering
the cool serenity of the morning
and sending a bevy of frightened rocks
circling and cawing high into the
brooding blue dome of the heavens.
Cursing his i'll luck. young Randall
raced furiously toward the distant
grove.
Colonel AIoreau. considerably more
familiar with the town than Tom Ran
dali. had indeed availed himself Of the
shortest cut possible and one which
would lead him directly to that en-
trance the situation of which Larkin
Bunce had been at pains to explain.
No time could be wasted, for Kirby
was already there, and to. keep an ad-
versary waiting smacked not only Of
cowardice. but was direct breach of
the code regulating such affairs of
honor. It was characteristic Of Mo-
reau that ii left to himself he would
sereneiy outrage all codes by shooting
a man in the back. but that when Off
cially entered for 4 combat-such as
on the present occasion-he punctil-
iously observed both the spirit and the
letter
Kirby living meant a serious men
ace; Kirby dead meant security and
tighter grip on the spoils Of the river.
a reoccupation Of the premier position
from which he had been ousted. BuSi-
ness interests and his own life clam
ored for Kirby's death. For Bunce.
IT, he grew troublesome. he would ac-
count. and he could rely on the latter's
remaining true to the code of their
rofession-carrying no tales to the
Randalls. but instead. If he considered
fit, fighting out the issue with the
slayer Of his partner. 1t can thus be
seen that Moreau in his usual opti-
mistic fashion had the future arrang-
ed entirely to his satisfaction.
Meanwhile he had cautiously entered
the shadow Of the duellng oaks and.
pistol in hand. was slowly threading
his way down the path. the weapon
cooked and resting across his left fore
arm. Flanked on either side by the
giant trees through which fugitive
sunbeams aickered. shooting their
small golden arrows Of light into the
dense and rank underground. he found
some difficulty in accurately discern
ing distant objects Although the path
was straight. thus obviaing any turn
ing Of angles and consequent sud-
den and unexpected meeting. he could
not see Kirby, and for moment the
fears Of an elaborately planned am
buscade arose in his unworthy mind.
Indeed. the setting offered many In
ducements to one who, like himself.
might entertain such laudable pur-
pose.
These momentary misgivings were.
however. abruptly dispelled. for from
far down the path kirby's voice sud-
denly broke the silence:
Good morning. colonel! Is that
you? Are you quite ready? Stand by.
for I'm coming"
Moreau instantly turned until he
faced the trees on his right. Thus he
presented the smallest possible surface
to his advancing foe. Although the
articles Of agreement called for mu-
tual and simultaneous advance, he was
aware that it is easier to fire from a
fixed platform. and he consequently
deliberately halted. his left shoulder
thrown forward and the pistol level
with his eye. He could now discern
Kirby. who. unmindful Of all tactical
or strategic advantage. came saunter-
ing toward him, the right hand dan
gling carelessly at his side. He was
whistling. but had Moreau been nearer
ne would have noted the sinister line
running from nose to mouth and the
fixity Of purpose in the brooding eyes,
all of which belied the CHEEKY carol.
Moreau. standing like rock which
disputed the others progress. waited
and watched. Once he made sudden,
violent movement in the hope Of
drawing Kirby's fire, but the latter.
never needing. continued his seeming
ly careless advance On he came. thir-
ty PAGES; twenty. and still no sign
frop, oithor mon. fiftaan and Mo-