"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."