“In that matter we propose to introduce another novelty” replied Dick.
“To make it more sporting,” explained Tonks. “Just so,” said Dick. “You see that plantation? We are going to put one of you in one end and the other in the other; you have each fifty cartridges, and you can fire as soon as you meet and as often as you please. One of the seconds will remain at either end to welcome the survivor.”
“Oh, that's not a bad idea,” said Lumme, brightening up.
I had my own opinion on this unheard-of innovation, but I kept it to myself.
“Now you toss for ends,” said Tonks. “Call.” He spun a shilling, and Lumme called “Heads.”
“Heads it is,” said Tonks. “Which end?”
“It doesn't make much difference, I suppose,” replied Teddy. “I'll start from this end.”
“Right you are,” said Dick. “Au revoir, monsieur. When you are ready to enter the wood fire a cartridge to let us know. Here is an extra one I have left for signalling.”
I bowed and followed my second across the lane and through a narrow gate in a high hedge that bounded the side farthest from the park. Lumme was left with Shafthead in the lane to make his way to the nearest end of the wood, so that I should see no more of him till we met gun to shoulder in the thickets. I confess that at that moment I could think only of our past friendship and his genial virtues, and it was with a great effort that I forced myself to recall his insults and harden my heart.
We now walked down a long field shut in by trees on either hand. At the farther end from the lane these plantations almost met, so that they and the hedge enclosed the field all the way round except for one narrow gap. Here Tonks stopped and turned.