"Be it so," replied Rob, laughing, as Sir James divested himself of his glittering cuirass: "I am not an old trooper like you, yet am a good marksman nevertheless."
"Are your pistols loaded?"
"The pistols of a MacGregor are seldom otherwise, in these times," said Rob, as his countenance darkened; "and yours?"
"Are loaded, too."
"Shall we fire together, or toss up for the first shot?" asked MacGregor.
"We will toss for the first shot, if you please," replied Livingstone, who, aware that he was a deadly marksman, and had fought several duels in France and Flanders with terrible success, had no fears as to the result, if the lot fell to him.
"Then, Sir James, toss for me, but remain where you are," said MacGregor, with indifference.
"And you will take my word for the coin—for the result!" exclaimed Livingstone, with something of admiration in his tone and face.
"Had I doubted your word, I would not fight with you. On equal terms I meet none but gentlemen."
A servant of Sir James, a man in livery, armed with a musket, now came hastily forward to suggest some trickery, which his master repelled with scorn—even with anger.