"I shall leave you to do all the talking, Colonel Belthorpe," said the major, as he backed his horse so as to leave the commander alone at the front.
"I am quite willing to do the talking, but I may need your advice," replied the colonel.
The planter of Riverlawn could distinctly make out his brother at this distance, and he was glad that he had not been shot dead, or apparently wounded. Two men came from the direction of the fire, bearing lighted torches, and placed themselves one on each side of Captain Titus and another person at his side, who carried the white flag.
"Do you know that man with the flag, Squire Truman?" asked Major Lyon, as he observed the proceedings on the other side.
"I ought to know him, for I prosecuted him for an assault not long ago," replied the lawyer. "That is Swin Pickford, a bully and a ruffian of the vilest sort."
"My brother is not very particular in the selection of his associates," added Noah Lyon very sadly.
Captain Titus advanced with the flag and the torches at a stately pace, as though he were the victor instead of the vanquished in the several conflicts of the night, and halted in the middle of the space between the contestants.
"I desire to meet Noah Lyon," said he.
"I decline to meet him," called the owner of the name.
"He declines to meet you on the present occasion," replied the commander sternly. "This is not exactly a fraternal meeting, and there is only one question which is in order: Do you surrender?"