me, Major Pertinax Rocket, or in speaking of my friend, in my presence at least, you omit none of the usual terms of civility.'

This was cool and consolatory enough. Poor Walton was dumb for several minutes, and perfectly bewildered. Rocket grew impatient.

'What answer to my friend, Sir?' he demanded.

I will see Mr. Topic for myself, Major Rocket.'

You cannot, Sir.'

'How cannot?'

-

'No, Sir.'

And why, I pray you?'

'Because he cannot see you, in the first place; and, in the next, because I will neither suffer him to see you nor you to see him.' 'Ha! Sir.'

'Just so, Mr. Walton; and, let me add, that the desire which you have expressed to thrust me, his representative, aside, and go to my principal, conveys a reflection upon my honor, and a doubt of my integrity, which are personally offensive, and must be atoned for. At present, however, I defer my claim to satisfaction to that urged by my friend, to whom I beg your immediate answer.'

Rocket was a man not to be trifled with, and Walton soon discovered that. Rocket was too courteous and considerate by half to waive his own claim to honor in place of mine; but he meant honorably, and did it for the best. Walton saw that there was no alternative, and referred my second to his friend, Lieutenant Thompson, of the Piscataqua Volunteers: and Major Rocket, who lost no time in a business of so delicate a texture, immediately proceeded to wait upon the referee.

WELL, what are the terms, major?' I demanded of my friend, as he entered my chamber the next morning.

Glorious! grand!' were the superlative words in which he replied.

'When are we to meet?' I next asked.

'On Wednesday next at Oxley's Farm. I endeavoured to get it fixed for Monday, but the d-d milksop insists, like a fool as he is, upon getting married first- a condition which will be very apt to carry off much of the courage which he has left.'

Why, do you think that will affect him?' was my inquiry.

'Yes so long as the condition is new. A year hence he might not be so reluctant to a fight—indeed, I have known such an event rather a desirable one to most husbands after such a period.'

Rocket was a decided bachelor; had been jilted once, and turned woman-hater ever after. I could readily see that his prejudices had somewhat impaired his judgment. I proceeded with my inquiries. The distance?'

Ay-that is the fortunate hit-he insisted upon five paces, thinking to bully us, as he knew my favourite distance was seven; but he was mistaken in his man. I took him up at the word.'

What! five paces!' I exclaimed, in horror- -'why, my dear major, there is no sort of chance we shall both be killed.'

To be sure you will,' he answered, with exemplary composure, ' unless one kills the other with the word. Quick shooting is safe shooting, and every thing depends upon your promptness. On that head I must give you some lessons, and the sooner we go out to practise the better.'

That very afternoon we went out to practise, and the major soon put me in the way of line-shooting, with such precision, as to make it a caution, as they say in Kentucky.

6

It is well,' he said, among other things, to acquire a perfect knowledge of the pistol-handle the grasp is very important; but I do not think it advisable to practise at any fixed distance, where you are the challenger, until the distance is prescribed at which you are to fight. Men who practise at a given distance habitually, are apt to be disquieted with any change; and to be a dead shot at ten paces is sometimes apt to interfere with good shooting at seven. I would rather that my principal should not know how to shoot at all until the time comes, and after the distance is prescribed. In three days I can put him in the way of doing mischief; and, unless his opponent is a very thirsty and anxious one, three days will be allowed at least.' We had three days - and we practised successfully. Before that time was ended I could cut my bamboo between two joints, seven inches asunder, at every shot.

This will do,' said Rocket. We shall have rare sport. Better shooting has not been seen for a long time; and, if you do not put your bullet alongside of his third button, I shall be monstrous mortified. But come I will sup with you to-night, that we may the better talk over our preparations for the morrow.'

'We go out at eight to-morrow morning, said Rocket to me, while our supper was getting ready. 'You must meet me at seven, in order that we may lose no time. It would be horrible not to be there be

fore them.'

'Horrible!' I exclaimed, unconsciously, for my thoughts were busy elsewhere.

Let us see that our watches agree,' was his suggestion. Mechanically, I exhibited mine. They did agree within two seconds. It was by both of us a few minutes short of six o'clock. At half past six on the ensuing morning I was to meet him at the boat. This matter settled, we next proceeded to supper. "Eat moderately,' was his direction did not himself follow.

one, by-the-way, which he

'Eat moderately. It is an ugly thing to have a bullet come into a crowded stomach. It mortally increases the crowd, and provokes a singular and most unpleasant excitement in the neighborhood.'

It will do that any how,' was my response, while I laid the breast and wing of a roast duck upon my plate-it will have that effect whether I eat much or little.'

'By no means,' he cried, quickly; 'the difference is material, I assure you. A bullet after a hearty supper, in the domestic territory, is almost always certain to be fatal; and I must beg that you will confine yourself to the wing of that duck alone put the breast on my plate it looks tempting - and, as your affair is to be settled before I can possibly enjoy mine, I think I may venture upon it with safety.' "Your affair!' I exclamed, in astonishment. What affair?'

With your Mr. Walton. I gave him to understand, you will remember, that I held his wish to put put me aside and refer to you, when I waited upon him with your message, as a direct personal injury, evidently conveying a doubt of my integrity, as it seemed to question my commission and agency. I only waived my claim in deference to yours. When yours is over, and should he be in a proper condition to atone to me, I shall take your place, and I request you now to serve me then in mine.'

'Are you serious, Major Rocket?' I asked, in astonishment.

'Serious, Sir!' he exclaimed, looking at me with an expression almost ferocious.

'Serious - I'll thank you to pass that sherry.'

He deigned me no other answer to my impertinent inquiry; but that was enough. I was about to fill my glass with the same liquor when he arrested my arm.

'Stay!' he said; your temperament is sanguine not biliousnot nervous. I prefer that you should drink porter to any thing else to-night. Porter is the only beverage before battle for your sanguine temperament. It neutralizes the excess of blood and vivacity, and secures the true equilibrium. An overflow of vivacity is quite as bad as a deficiency. Extremes meet; and an excess in your case would bring about a reaction which would show like timidity. Take porter; it is an admirable stuff for your sanguine person. The German would go mad with his imagination but for the sedative beer which he drinks, and which gives him solidity.'

I drank porter to please him; and, having completed our preparations; he took charge of my pistols and left me for the night.

What a night that was to me! How full of dreams, and thoughts, and fancies, of every form of annoyance. Certainly, the idea of going out the next morning to mortal combat was excessively unpleasant. Beside, such an engagement will admit of no excuse. A party of pleasure, of almost any other sort, could be interrupted by cloudy weather; but when we go out to meet a friend in honorable fight, even a storm is of no service. I thought over the matter in a thousand ways. It appeared to me that Rocket had been quite too hasty. After all, I had never confided my secret to Walton-nor had he abused my confidence. I began to feel kindly toward my old friend, but then my honor; and, as Rocket said, all Chestnut-street was full of it. The thing was now unavoidable, and to get through with it manfully was now the only help. I took my position before the glass. I threw my legs apart, after the French mode; but, though giving great dity, the straddle seemed to increase terribly the extent of surface for his aim. I contracted my legs, threw the heel of the left foot in against the ankle joint of the right, and surveyed narrowly the effect of this position. The left knee was protruded greatly to its undue exposure. While I tried thus the comparative advantages of several positions, I was struck, for the first time in my life, with the unhappy and singular distension of my corporation. Really, I had never before suspected myself of being so important a personage in the community. But the growth of a region which would have fairly entitled me to a seat among the fathers of the city, in the capacity of an alderman, was decidedly unnecessary to one about to fight a duel;

soli

and the difficulty on the part of this obtrusive member excited all my apprehensions. I tried to contract and constrain, by every process of shrinking known to me, the objectionable region. But I found that a contraction on the front only produced an equal and corresponding obtrusion in the rear; and each added moment of care and consideration brought with it newer forms of difficulty; so that I retired, at length, in no very gratifying mood, to dream of the morning's dangers, and to prepare for them as I could.

It

At first, when I awakened, I was alarmed, for the hour seemed late; but looking at my watch, I discovered that I had time enough. I proceeded to make my toilet, which I did with infinite care. might be the last time that I should ever perform this office for myself. The idea made me melancholy. Was all my future shrunk to this little measure? Was the long life before my imagination, and the thousand pleasant dreams and hopes that came with it, to be thus I dared not think suddenly lopt short by the infernal shears?

any longer. I felt that my heart was growing softer every moment. I had some letters to write, which I set about instantly. I had my will to make - some little things to leave, and some kind thoughts and good wishes to bequeath along with them. Even a bachelor has These letters were only his cares and comforts of his complexion. to be sent in the event of my falling. They did not take me long. When they were finished I thought of Emily Postlethwaite. Emily, Emily!' I exclaimed, in the bitterness of my heart-wherefore art thou Emily!'- or rather, wherefore art thou Emily Walton now, and Emily Postlethwaite no longer?' She had been married the upon those previous night, and he, my false friend, he had revelled lips which I had so fondly looked to have called my own. thought roused and enraged me.

no matter.

The

He shall not 'But no matter!' I exclaimed aloud; enjoy them long. I will put a bullet through his head, the villain. I will tomahawk and scalp him. I'll kill him if he had a thousand wives, and each of them as fond of him as she!'

With elegant determination I felt my anger return, and I now became exceedingly anxious to look my rival in the face. But it was My watch was not yet time. The hours seemed to move slowly. short of six by several minutes. I was to meet Rocket at half past There was more six, and we were to be on the ground at seven. than time enough. Yet, better too soon by an hour than late by a minute. With this proverb I determined to set forth to join Rocket at his lodgings. I took one more look at the glass. It was a satisfactory glance. I was never in better trim, and I could not avoid the unpleasant reflection which forced itself upon me at that moment, that my fair, handsome face, and newly-trimmed luxuriant whiskers, might a few hours hence be soiled in the unbecoming sands of the Jersey shore. Such thoughts are unpleasing, if not unbecoming. I made an effort to dismiss them from my mind, and supply their place with those which were more pleasant. Another glance at the mirror suggested them. What could have possessed Emily Postlethwaite to

prefer the sallow phiz of Walton to the becoming red and white of mine. Such villanous taste on her part half reconciled me to her loss. But it was not that she preferred him — it was that she did not hope for me. The girl was modest, and I-I was too slow. My unready habit lost me the opportunity, which, if employed, must have found me successful. The thought vexed me, and I was reminded to look at my watch for fear of being too late now. 'I will be in time for my revenge, at least,' was the involuntary soliloquy. The hour was still short of six-time moved slowly for my impatience, but I was bent to be in season. I hurried down stairs, but met with an interruption ere I got to the bottom. There was my landlady.

Mrs. Jenkins, good morning. You are bright and busy, I see, madam, as usual.'

The dear old damsel answered with a pleasant chuckle.

Ah, yes, Sir, I am always busy; but it's many a long year since I could be called bright. I'm dull enough now-a-days, and it was only yesterday that I tried my best to thread a coarse needle, but I could not find the eye for the life of me, no more than if I had none of my own.'

I condoled with her; but the old lady, who was an inveterate talker, did not want condolence so much as somebody to talk to or at; and she would have kept me, I verily believe, for three mortal hours at the foot of the stairs, the brush in her hand, moved at intervals by way of apology over the steps at my feet, while she inflicted upon me a long history of her troubles in the domestic world. Like most of our ladies, she loved to complain about the servants-the insolent negroes, and the stupid Irish, and the swinish Swedish, and the dingy Dutch-topics which are never-failing in the mouths of some housekeepers in the cities of Brotherly Love and Gotham, and, by the suggestion of which, they contrive to excuse their own parsimony, want of hospitality, and perfect indifference to the claims of society and the stranger. I heard her with some impatience; and, while listening to the old story, I remembered she had a claim upon me. The poor old creature would want money in a few days, and a bullet through my abdomen would be as distressing to her, unless I paid her bill beforehand, as it would be annoying and inconvenient to me. Abruptly enough, therefore, I insisted upon her making it out at once. The demand suggested to her jealous apprehension a new and unlooked-for evil. She apprehended now the loss of her lodger.

Bless my old soul, Mr. Topic-why, what's the matter? You do n't mean you surely can't intend to leave me. I hope I have done nothing to give offence. Perhaps the servants-ah, Mr. Topicdon't let them trouble you. Richard has been giving you impertinence, I see it now he is a vile wretch, and I will instantly turn him off. He will drive me mad; or, perhaps it is Betty, the chambermaid — it can be no other. The impudent hussey, she has been saucy to you - there's no bearing with her any longer, and I'll not sleep again 'till I have her out of the house. She shall never darken these doors again so long as I am the proprietor. The trollop, to insult my boarders a wretched baggage - you would not have believed it, Sir, but I picked that wench up in the street, Sir- a poor, halfstarved creature - a mere skeleton, and you see her now. She is