"It is!" answered Gilbert Margrave and Mortimer Percy.
"Then choose your weapon," said Bowen, handing Mortimer the two carbines.
The young man carefully measured the instruments of death, and returned one to his cousin's second.
"Are they loaded?" he asked.
"No," answered Bowen, handing him powder and ball. "Will you remain on this side of the ground?"
"Yes."
"Good! then it is for you to cross over to the other side of yonder dell, I guess. Mr. Horton, come!"
"But the signal?" exclaimed Mortimer.
"Shall be a shout from me," answered Bowen; "we'll give you ten minutes to load your weapon and bid your friend good-by, for if Mr. Horton's anything as good a shot as I take him for, there ain't much chance of your seeing the Britisher again!"
The two men disappeared amongst the foliage, and the friends were alone.