The Major looked at him quizzically as he stood pistols in hand in all the grandeur of his assumed character. The shadow of disappointment at the non-appearance of the Juel-lists which had rested on his round face, passed away, and he suddenly asked him which way he thought they had better stand. George Washington twisted his head on one side and, after striking a deliberative attitude and looking the plat well over, gave his judgment.
“Ah—so,” said the Major, and bade him step off ten paces.
George Washington cocked his hat considerably more to the side, and with a wave of his hand, caught from the Major, took ten little mincing steps; and without turning, glanced back over his shoulder and inquired, “Ain’ dat mighty fur apart?”
The Major stated that it was necessary to give them some chance. And this appeared to satisfy him, for he admitted, “Yas, suh, dat’s so, dee ‘bleeged to have a chance,” and immediately marked a point a yard or more short of that to which he had stepped.’
The Major then announced that he would load the pistols without waiting for the advent of the other gentlemen, as he “represented both of them.”
This was too much for so accomplished an adept at the Code as George Washington, and he immediately asserted that such a thing was preposterous, asking with some scorn, as he strutted up and down, “Who ever heah o’ one gent’man ripresentin’ two in a jewel, Marse Nat?”
The Major bowed politely. “I was afraid it was a little incompatible,” he said.
“Of cose it’s incomfatible,” said George Washington. “I ripresents one and you de t’urr. Dat’s de way! I ripresents Marse Jeff. I know he ain’ gwine fly de track. I done know him from a little lad. Dat urr gent’man I ain’ know nuttin tall about. You ripresents him.” He waved his hand in scorn.
“Ah!” said the Major, as he set laboriously about loading the pistols, handling the balls somewhat ostentatiously.
George Washington asserted, “I b’lieve I know mo’ ‘bout the Code ‘n you does, Marse Nat.”