Botts closed and bolted the door, and then earnestly asked,—
"You certainly did not agree that I should fight Captain Bragg with a broad-axe?"
"No, indeed!" said Wiggins. "With much difficulty I obtained from Mr. Belton a compromise."
"What sort of a compromise?" asked Botts.
"You are to fight with just such weapons as Belton produces on the ground."
"And not to know what they are to be until I get on the field?"
"Such is the agreement," said the second.
"Wiggins, what sort of terms are these?" exclaimed Botts.
"They were the best I could obtain. My opinion is, that this Captain Bragg, although he associates with gentlemen, is little better than a desperado. He has lived among savages the greater part of his life, and, as I am told, has been boasting of having fought a duel with a boomerang, or a harpoon, or something of the sort. He is a reckless and desperate man, and cares not for consequences. Had I not agreed to the compromise proposed by his second, I am confident that he would have posted you as a coward."
"These are hard terms," said Botts; "but I suppose they must be accepted."