The Gold Hunters' Adventures Part 38

"I have given the subject a moment's consideration," I replied, "and think that ten rods will be better for your friend than double that distance."

"I shall certainly venture to disagree with you on that point," replied the lieutenant. "I think that twenty rods is full near enough."

"Why, they will hardly be able to distinguish each other so far apart,"

I said; "but you shall have it as you wish."

"Thank you. Then nothing farther remains but to point out a very beautiful spot where the business can be settled in the most amicable manner. If you will step to the door I think I can show you the field, with not a tree or hill that can line either party on ground. Ah, yes, there it is, away to the right after pa.s.sing the end of the road, and beyond the white fence. Do you see it?"

I nodded in the affirmative.

"Well, say five in the morning to be on the ground. Does that suit your convenience?"

"Perfectly."

"Then good-by. By the way, may I ask you to bring the rifles to the ground? I am sorry to trouble you, but in the case you know--"

"I understand. Be under no concern; I will see that the guns are in good condition, and ready for your loading."

"Thank you. Another request I have to make. May I ask that you will not bring a surgeon on the ground, but trust to the regimental one whom we shall have present. You are strangers, and by expressing a desire for a doctor, might communicate an alarm to the police, which would have a tendency to postpone the meeting."

"I thank you for the suggestion, sir," I answered, "and will do as you request; although I frankly tell you, that I hope there will be no occasion for a surgeon to exercise his duties."

"The affair has gone too far to be stopped without blood-letting, I think," replied Merriam, shaking his head, "although with some men I should not yet give up all hope of a pacification."

He shook me warmly by the hand as he took his departure, and I was left alone to meditate on the disagreeable duty which I had a.s.sumed for my best friend. I little thought, at the time I was so calmly making the arrangements for the duel, that his adversary, Lieutenant Wattles, had already killed two men, in spite of his youth, and that a more determined duellist did not exist on the island.

I had just mixed a strong gla.s.s of punch, and was about to raise it to my lips, for the purpose of looking cheerful when Fred returned, when I heard his voice.

"Ah, that is stealing a march on us, old boy," he shouted, pleasantly.

"Here have we been parading the dusty streets of Melbourne, and my eyes, ears, and mouth are filled with dirt and cobble stones. However, we saw nothing of the city, for such clouds of dust filled the air that we had to hire a boy with a lantern to lead us home. Hand me the bottle, for I'm famished for want of a drink."

While he was filling his gla.s.s, he ran on, talking about half a dozen subjects, and it was not until Smith asked the result of the interview, that he would be quiet enough to listen to my communication.

"I have arranged every thing," I said. "We are to use the rifles, and meet to-morrow morning early."

"And did you make no attempts at a reconciliation?" demanded Smith, reproachfully.

"Don't answer that question, Jack," Fred said, seriously. "I placed my life and honor in your hands, and I am satisfied that you dealt with me as though I were a brother."

I grasped his extended hand, and for a few moments we sat thus, without exchanging a word, both buried in thought and conjuring up reminiscences of the past, when a few months before we had left Boston to search for gold in California, and then, actuated by a spirit of adventure, had emigrated to Australia, still cheris.h.i.+ng the hope of returning home with riches and with honor.

"I shall write a few letters to-day, Jack," Fred said, at length. "One of them will be addressed to you, and if any thing should happen you will find full directions how to dispose of the few things which I own."

"Let me meet the man," blubbered Smith. "I'm of no account, and if killed, shan't be missed, while both of you have something to live for."

"It cannot be," replied Fred. "I insulted the gentleman, and to me alone does he look for redress. G.o.d knows I do not desire the man's blood, and still hope that I shall not be forced to spill it."

"At least promise that I may accompany you to the field?" Smith said.

His request was readily complied with; but all day long Smith's face seemed as though he had lost his only friends.

The day wore away slowly. We dined with Murden, and chatted gayly about old times, and congratulated him on an addition which had been made to his pay, owing to the capture of bushrangers which had been effected by his command. We hardly touched our lips to the wine which he freely circulated; and at an early hour took our leave, much to his surprise, and without his suspecting the business which was to occupy our attention in the morning.

We went to bed early, leaving Smith to wake us at a suitable hour in the morning, which he promised to do, as he declared he felt too nervous to sleep. Sure enough, daylight was just stealing along the eastern horizon when we were called and found a steaming pot of hot coffee upon the table, which the careful stockman had prepared for us previous to our leaving for the field.

We drank our coffee in solemn silence, and then started for the rendezvous, Smith carrying the rifles and ammunition, and uttering comments at every step at the folly of our proceedings. Just as we locked the door, the old cracked bell upon the church, near the villa of our friend, struck the hour of four. Finding that we had plenty of time, we walked along quite leisurely, meeting only a few people, and those longsh.o.r.emen, who were hurrying to their work on the quays, and fearful of being late.

No one paid any attention to us, for the carrying of arms in Melbourne was common in those days; and so without remark we gained the crossing, and then continuing on for a short distance, entered an open s.p.a.ce, far enough from the road to escape observation, and there awaited our adversaries.

We did not have to wait long. A carriage containing three persons stopped within gunshot of where we stood, and presently we saw Merriam and his friend, and a short, fat gentleman in an undress uniform, carrying a small box under his arm, advance towards us.

Lieutenants Wattles and Merriam were smoking, and appeared perfectly cool and unconcerned regarding the result. We heard the old gentleman, whom we presumed to be the surgeon, remonstrating at something that did not appear to please him, and from what we could overhear, we found that he disapproved of the use of cigars at so early an hour in the morning.

"Ah, the divil, smile, will ye, at what I say, but it's poor Harris, of the thirty-sixth, who had cause to regret it. A finer officer the queen never had; and yet he would disarrange his nerves by the use of tobacco at an early hour in the morning, and what was the consequence? Killed at ten paces by a fellow who hardly ever saw a pistol before. Its truth I'm spaking, and ye well know it."

The doctor's companions did not pay much attention to his remarks, for they continued to smoke perfectly unconcerned, and while they were advancing slowly towards us we could hear the Irish surgeon lecturing them for their want of generals.h.i.+p.

"It's a pretty mess ye're in now, and the devil thank ye. The young fellows are on the ground afore us, and that don't look like fear, and by the same token, they have got their murderous-looking instruments with them. Bad luck to it, couldn't ye manage somewhat differently than to want to fight two Americans, who were born wid rifles in their hands."

Wattles made a reply, but it was too low and indistinct for us to hear, and the next moment the party were within speaking distance.

The princ.i.p.als raised their caps and then walked one side, while Merriam and myself shook hands, and then I was introduced to the surgeon, Doctor Michael O'Haraty, a genuine specimen of an Irish gentleman.

"We arranged the distance yesterday, and there is nothing to be settled but who shall give the word," Merriam said.

"Don't let that bother your brains, for I'll do that without, the asking. Ah, it's many a signal I've given, and sometimes they've bin fatal ones, too," the doctor said.

I agreed to that, and then calling Smith, I desired Merriam to make choice of the rifle which he liked best. He was some time selecting, but at length hit upon mine, thus leaving Fred at liberty to use his own weapon.

"I use the same size b.a.l.l.s that you do," I said, selecting one from some half a dozen that Smith held in his hand.

I carefully loaded Fred's rifle, and offered to a.s.sist Merriam, but he declined; and even when I told him that he had got a third more powder than was necessary, he did not heed my advice, and perhaps I was glad that he did not.

"Now, thin," cried the doctor, "do you take hold of this tape line, my man, and we'll measure off twenty rods in a jiffey."

Smith, who was appealed to, did as he was directed, and in a short time we had our men stationed and waiting for a signal which I longed for, yet dreaded.

Fred looked a shade paler, but he was as firm as a rock; and when I shook hands with him and handed him his rifle, I could not discover the least tremor of nerves, or any unusual agitation.

"If I should fall," Fred said, once more shaking me by the hand, "you will find in the letter which is directed to you, full instructions how to dispose of my effects. G.o.d bless you, Jack; I never loved you half as well as I do now."

I brushed away a tear, and with a voice choked by emotion asked if there was any thing which he wished to say before the word was given.

"I did think," he replied, examining his adversary's bearing, "that I would fire over his head; but I see that he is bent on mischief, and is determined to kill me, if possible. Under the circ.u.mstances I think that I shall do no great wrong if I touch him slightly."

"Do as you please," I replied, stepping back, and joining the doctor, who held a white handkerchief in one hand and his snuffbox in the other.

"Let me speak to Mr. Fred before you give the signal?" asked Smith.