The Coolidge examiner., 1933-06-09

W
the fight. lie will be the man OF
iron nerve. My prediction is that
neither of you will be hurt unless
one or the other wishes to commit
suicide"
A roar of laughter greeted this
unique plan of the tavern keeper.
ITS fair proposal" citizen de-
clared. and others audibly fell in
with his way of thinking.
A man who had listened to the
quarrel and said nothing now arose
He spoke in a tone that commanded
silence and respect, saying, Il have
heard the able argument OF this
young man. whose name do not
know. | cannot see why the chal-
lenger. or any man who has an in
terest In the welfare Of our Colonies,
should be offended by 1t. | have
heard the plan of our host. 1t is the
only kind of duel for which there Is
the slightest excuse. 1t will afford
these gentlemen a chance to commit
murder If either of them is bent
upon II, but It will be self-mur-
der. Therefore, Mr.. Landlord,
move that 1t Is the sense of this
meeting that the duel shall be
fought as you propose and that If
either gentleman is unwilling to sub
nit to your test of his courage he
shall apologize to the other or ac
cept the stigma of cowardice."
II was cunning bit of strategy.
A chorus of voices seconded the mo-
ton. 1t was carried. Bolts and
Conway were Out-triCked. They had
come to a pass that gave neither
principal a chance to back water.
Colin arose and said, Il am
ready"
$50 am l." Conway declared.
81 will go and charge the holes" a"
said the tavern host. You may each
send a witness to the charging"
Conway sent Colonel Bolts. and
Colin named the stranger who had
made the motion. He was Rev.
Thomas Allen of Pitts6eld. a sturdy
American out on a speaking tour.
He pressed Collins hand saying,
Success to you, my boy, but don't
be too brave"
The landlord took down his great
powder-horn that hung on the wall,
lighted his lanterns and left the
room with Reverend Allen. Colonel
Bolts and two helpers.
Colin took his pipe from his
pocket and filled It. He lighted a
splinter in the fire. The shaking
flame as he raised ii to the pipe
bowl betrayed his inner emotion.
The courage Of an American soldier
was soon to be tried. He felt sure
that he would win. Conway did not
act like O man of courage. Are
they going to be all night doing that
little job?" he asked himself as he
smoked. Conway was writing in his
diary. Others were whispering to-
gether.
The tavern keeper returned with
Mr.. Allen and Colonel Bolts. The
latter stood twirling IA side whisker
that stuck out like horn, his mind
pregnant with great thoughts of and
for "the people" The tavern keep
er said In solemn voice:
Gentlemen. we are ready for
you"
Colin took the arm OF Mr.. Allen.
Conway that OF Colonel Bolts. They
proceeded TO the stable yard fol-
lowed by the tavern guests. The sec
onds conducted their principals to
the rock. They drew lots for the
choice of positions Colin won and
chose the charge nearest the open
door about thirty feet away. The
two sat down, each above a loaded
bore in the rock.
Again the tavern keeper spoke !:
Il advise all my guests to 20 to some
safer place. will assume no re-
sponsibility for the safety of spec
tatOrs. You. who are fighting this
duel. will please mind that the fuses
are two and a half feet long and
that the fire moves rapidly. The
holes are fifteen inches deep. You
will have not more than three or
four seconds in which TO move to
a safer position after the fire en-.
ters the hole. Mr.. Conway will
head for the opening toward the
house. Mr. Cabot for the stable
door, within which | and the sec
onds will find shelter"
The tavern keeper lighted splin-
ter In the lantern blaze. Holding
the fuse ends in his left hand, he
touched them simultaneously with
the fire which began its sputtering
upward journey. Little wisps of
! smoke arose.
Colin sat as motionless as the
rock. In the glow of the jack-lighi
he saw that his enemy was trem
bling. The creeping fire was close
to both men. A nervous spectator
shrleked with alarm. II was like
an unexpected thunderbolt crash
ing through roof. Every one felt
a heart spasm. Conway jumped
off the rock and ran. Colin sat for