“‘He who would dare to say,’ replied the Captain, ‘that Major Mug is not among the most gentlemanlike men in the service, would speak what is untrue.’
“Our seconds bowed, took a pinch of snuff together, and proceeded to load the pistols. Neither Brady nor I was particularly pleased at these complimentary speeches of the gentlemen, and, I am sure, had we been left to ourselves, would have declined the second shot. As it was, it appeared inevitable.
“Just, however, as the process of loading was completing, there appeared on the ground my cousin Phil Purdon, rattling in on his black mare as hard as he could lick. When he came in sight he bawled out,—
“‘I want to speak to the plaintiff in this action—I mean, to one of the parties in this duel. I want to speak to you, Bob Burke.’
“‘The thing is impossible, sir,’ said Major Mug.
“‘Perfectly impossible, sir,’ said Captain Codd.
“‘Possible or impossible is nothing to the question,’ shouted Purdon; ‘Bob, I must speak to you.’
“‘It is contrary to all regulation,’ said the Major.
“‘Quite contrary,’ said the Captain.
“Phil, however, persisted, and approached me. ‘Are you fighting about Dosy Mac?’ said he to me in a whisper.