Year: 1874

The Major started, still pale and trem-
bling, and skunk below.
But now the worst was over midnight
passed, the storm which had come on so
quickly passed away no less speedily. We
soon retired TO our berths with our minds
at ease, and the breakfast bell summoned
US from slumber to find a breeze propelling
the good ship merrily along.


The Major did not come out to break
fast. The Captain was there in his own
seat, still calm and placid, with the same
never varying calmness.


The ladies', too, were there, and the
lovely Ida, whose place was near that Of
the Captain, seemed willing to become
friendly again, and to forget all that had
occurred. But the Captain took little no.
tice of her.


AT eleven o'clock we were all on quar-
ter deck. 1t was calm, and the ship lay
motionless upon the sea. The Captain sat
with his arms folded upon the skylight,
and looked forward. Beside him the cab
in boy kneeled upon the deck, cleaning a
pair of as perfect dueling pistols as ever
were seen. They were splendidly mount
ed, and bore the name of Captain Valmy.
We wondered what that was for


The Major at last came upon the deck.
He was dressed carefully, and had evi-
IDENTIFY come to the conclusion that he
would try to do away with the effect which
his conduct in the storm had produced
upon our minds.


With bold, half staggering air, he
came up to the ladies', and commenced
talking in his old familiar way. Still the
boy went on rubbing the pistols. The
sight of them evidently put the Major in a
state of slight uneasiness.


At last it was midday. The pistols
were loaded. The Captain rose. Taking
one of them in his hand, with an air Of
one who was master Of the weapon, he
played with it little while and then said


Major Folsom, perhaps you remem
Der that yesterday you expressed an opin-
ion about my bravery-you challenged
mel


"Oh my dear Captain" began the
Major.


"A coward" sternly continued the Cap.
tain. And when refused to fight a
duel you were loud in your complaints.
did not think it fit to tell you why would
not fight duel, but l will do so soon"


" l will prove to you however, it was
not because l doubted my skill, or prac.
tice, with this little article Do you see
that nail ?"


He pointed to tack that was stuck in
the mast it was small one with round
head.


The Captain raised his pistol--aimed-
fred.


The major turned pale as death. The
rest of us uttered cry of astonishment
For when we looked the nail was driven
in to the head


"Now Major, could pink you in every
Part of that large and somewhat cumbrous
body of yours. ! have laid low many bet
ter men than you"


"Look again" And he took up the
other pistol.


Boy, hold up that bullet between your
fingers"


Don't be alarmed, ladies and gentle.
men, this is feat often try"


Bang went the pistol. The bullet was
struck fair from between the boys fingers,
and he, unhurt, calmly walked away.


"And now, Major, we will settle our little
business" said the Captain, loading the
pistols.


IL pray you, Captain Valmy," said Ida
Greyille, stepping forward, "to stop. Let
this violence go no further. What would
you have this mortal combat in our pres.
ence?"


wish to satisfy the Major replied
Valmy.


+" ] am satisfied, entirely satisfied, and
perfectly agree with Miss Greyille.
would not be so rude before her."


These words the Major stammered out.
He was very pale.


l." forbid it, Captain valmy, implore
you, said Miss Greville


Miss Greville, |, of course, would not
wish to commit an act of violence in your
presence. The cabin is left open for your
retreat What! What are you excited
now Not once before, l know an act of
violence was committed towards me, aud
challenge was given. Why did you not
interfere then ? Is his life so precious
that you seek to preserve 1t 2"


The Captains voice was very mournful.
Ida turned pale. She knew not what to
say. She saw in that strange being a
power before which she was perfect weak
ness.


| deem il my duty, gentlemen, to pro-
test ?" cried the Able, "in the name of
these ladies, and in the name of the great
Being, whose laws would be desecrated p


A sacred protest p said the Captain.


And why did you not seek to stop this
before 1t bad assumed an importance which
blood alone could satisfy | appeal to
these other honorable gentlemen. You
heard the challenge of last night. Shall
! be allowed to have satisfaction p


YesT cried all present, ia one loud
response.


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