Toney found Wiggins in his apartment in the hotel. The latter received
the representative of Captain Bragg with the formal politeness befitting
the occasion. After some conversation in relation to the business which
had brought them together, Toney proceeded to say,--
"Mr. Wiggins, my principal has, as you know, the selection of time and
place, as well as of weapons."
"Undoubtedly, Mr. Belton. You will be so good as to name the time."
"To-morrow, between daybreak and sunrise," said Belton.
"Very good," said Wiggins. "And the place?"
"The cluster of trees which stand on the east side of the town."
"An excellent selection," said Wiggins.
"And the weapons, Mr. Belton?"
"Broad-axes," said Toney.
"What?" exclaimed Wiggins.
"Broad-axes," reiterated Toney.
"What?" said Wiggins, in a tremulous tone.
"Broad-axes!" shouted Toney, with the lungs of a Stentor.
"Broad-axes!" repeated Wiggins, with a pallid cheek. "Mr. Belton, you do
not mean to say that Captain Bragg expects Mr. Botts to fight him with a
broad-axe!"
"Why not, sir? Why not? When a man fights a duel is it not his object to
kill his antagonist? And are not broad-axes as efficient as any weapon
for the purpose?"
"But, Mr. Belton, a broad-axe is an unusual, a barbarous weapon."
"Sir, it is neither an unusual nor a barbarous weapon. It is a military
weapon. Examine Webster's Dictionary and you will find that such is the
definition of broad-axe. It has been often used by gentlemen in affairs
of honor."
"I never heard of its use among men of honor," said Wiggins.
"Why, Sir, who originated the practice of dueling? Were not the
chivalrous knights of the Middle Ages the first to adopt this mode of
settling disputes?"
"Certainly," said the representative of Botts.
"And were not those knights gentlemen and men of honor?"
"Of course they were," said Wiggins. "Who can doubt that?"
"And did they not fight with battle-axes?"
"Oh, certainly," said Wiggins. "We read of that in Froissart and the
other chroniclers of those days."
"Well, sir, will you be so good as to show me the difference between a
battle-axe and a broad-axe? Can you point it out?"
"I confess that I cannot," said Wiggins.
"There is no difference; except that our carpenters, in the peaceful
occupation of hewing timber, have found a short handle more convenient
than the long ones used in the days of chivalry by honorable knights and
gentlemen. I propose to lengthen the handles and let our men fight like
gallant paladins with the legitimate weapons of the duello."
"Mr. Belton, I cannot consent that my principal shall fight with such a
weapon. Mr. Botts is not accustomed to the use of a broad-axe."
"Nor is Captain Bragg, sir. So neither party will have an advantage from
skill or practice."
"Did Captain Bragg select broad-axes?"
"The captain has expressed no preference; he has left the choice of
weapons to his second."
"Then, Mr. Belton, can we not, as the friends of the parties, make
arrangements for a meeting in which each gentleman may vindicate his
honor without the tragical results which must ensue from the use of such
barbarous weapons as broad-axes?"
"As I have said, and now repeat, a broad-axe is not a barbarous weapon.
Its use is legitimate in the duello. Unless you agree to the terms which
I am now about to propose, I shall adhere to my original selection."
"What are your terms, Mr. Belton?" eagerly inquired Wiggins.
"That I select the weapons, and that neither yourself nor our principals
shall know what they are until I produce them on the field."
"I agree to your terms, Mr. Belton; anything but broad-axes."
"The weapons which I shall select will test the coolness and courage of
both gentlemen. They will not be broad-axes. Are you satisfied?"
"Perfectly."
"Then, sir, as we have agreed upon the preliminary arrangement, I must
bid you good-morning."
In the corridor of the hotel Toney encountered M. T. Pate.
"Mr. Belton--Mr. Belton," said Pate, "I--I could not prevail on Mr.
Botts. He has sent a--a--a challenge, and there will be bloodshed, sir,
and--and all about a--a--a monkey, sir."
"Mr. Pate, I have the matter in hand, and I assure you, on the honor of
a gentleman, that not a drop of blood will be spilt."
"God bless you, Mr. Belton!"
"Good-morning, Mr. Pate." And Toney hurried away, leaving Pate repeating
his benediction with great fervor.