The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-03-28


felt no desire for further thought, only
an intense anxiety for them to hurry
the preliminaries, and have the AFFAIR
settled as speedily as possible. ! was
aroused by Warehouses; rather nasal
voice.
Gentlemen, will you please take
your positions. Major Brennan, you
viii stand three PAGES to the right
Of that sapllng, facing directly south.
Captain Wayne, kindly walk straight
west from the shed door until you
come opposite the Majors position"
l noted Brennan throw away the
stump Of his cigar, and then l walked
slowly forward until / reached the
point assigned me. My heart was beat
ing fast now, for / fully realized the
probabilities Of the next few minutes,
and felt little doubt that serious in
jury, If not death. was to be my por-
ton. Yet my trained nerves did not
fail me, and outwardly / appeared
fully as cool and deliberate as my OPP
ponent. Years Of constant exposure to
peril in every form had yielded me a
grim philosophy of fatalism that now
stood me in most excellent stead. In
deed, / doubt not, had l chosen to put
it to the test, my hand would have
proven the steadier Of the two, for
Brennan's face was flushed, and he
plainly exhibited the intense animos-
ity with which he confronted me.
How peculiar the mind often op-
crates in such moments Of exciting
suspense. L recall remarking a very
slight stoop In Brennan's shoulders
which I had never perceived before,
I remember wondering where Moore
house had ever discovered a taller to
give so shocking a ft to his coat. and
finally / grew almost interested in
two birds perched upon the limb Of
q tree opposite where stood. even
smiled to myself over a jest one Of
the young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with it all 1 remained
keenly observant and fully aware Of
each movement made by the others on
the field. l say Cation accept the der
ringer handed him and test It care
fully, the long, slim, blue barrel look
ing deadly enough as he held it up be-
tween me and the sky. Then Moore
house approached Brennan with its
fellow in his grasp, and the Lieutenant
crossed over, and stood beside me.
Here is the gun, Wayne" he
side, and l sincerely hope you
have changed your decision. There lie
no mercy In Brennan's eyes"
so I notice." l answered, taking
the derringer from him, and examining
1t with some curiosity, but / shall dc
as / said. nevertheless. 1t is not any
sentiment Of mercy Ifeel which spares
him, but a duty hat appeals to me
even more strongly than hate"
by Heaven, / wish It were other
wise"
Who gives the word?" l questioned
Il do; are o ready?"
Perfectly"
held out my hand, and his fingers
closed upon 1t with warm, friendly
grip. The next moment Brennan anC
I stood, seemingly alone. facing eacl
other, as motionless as two statues
His coat was buttoned to the throat
his cap-visor pulled low owe his eyes
his pistol hand hanging straight dowl
at his side, his gaze new waverinl
from me. / knew he was coolly, de
l~iberately measuring the distance be
tween us with as deadly a purpose a
any murderer. The almost painful
stiffness was broken by Cation, and
marked the tremor In his voice.
Are 0 both ready, gentlemen
Il am" said Brennan.
Ready" l replied.
| THE word win be one, two, three
fire; with a slight pause after tn
, three. A report from either pistol b,
/ fore the final word is spoken / shaI
take personally. Be prepared now"
Ready" said the voice once more
/ and as 1 saw Brennan's arm slowl
I rise, / lifted mine also, and coYere
s him, noting, as / did so, almost in VOL
+ der, with what ~steadiness Of pery
and wrist I held the slender gaug
g just beneath the visor Of his cap. ID.
hberately, as though he dreaded tn
, necessity, Cation counted:
t zone; two; three-hre!'
g Ny pistol exploded, the charge stril
g ing the limb above him, and ] sta.
gered backward, my hat torn from M
d head, a white line cut through my ha
and a thin trickle Of blood upon M
d temple. / saw Cation rushing towal
9 me. his face filed with anxiety, an
= then Brennan hurled his yet smokir
derringer into the dirt at his feet wit
T. an oath.
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