“Why was this, sir?” asked Boston, turning to the captain. “Can not men meet in the forest, but they must fight like dogs?”
“Ask me no questions. I do not recognize your right to do so. It is enough for me to know that the name of the man who stands by your side is so hateful to me that I am his enemy to the death.”
“You are over bold, sir,” said Boston, setting his teeth hard. “What hope have you, if we two set upon you together.”
“The hope of a man and a soldier,” replied Captain Van Zandt, quickly. “I may fall, or I may conquer. Set on!”
“I did not say we would attack you. We are peaceful men, and do not pick quarrels with every man whose name does not suit us.”
“Let him ask me why I hate the name he bears,” replied the other, “and I will tell him. That is, if he cares to know.”
“If you choose to tell,” said Willie, “I should like to hear; for, by my faith, I never offended you in the slightest degree.”
“I will tell you. Because you took advantage of your position as ambassador from the Plymouth Colony, and tried to win away from me my affianced wife, Theresa Van Curter.”
Willie took a forward step, and addressed the young man boldly:
“I am glad you have spoken,” said he. “We now understand each other. While I fought with you a few moments since, I was angry at myself, because I fought with a man with whom I had no quarrel. I am best pleased that you have told me what cause we have to be bad friends. And yet, I can not feel that it is necessary to fight. Let the one who can win the heart of Theresa Van Curter take her for a wife, and let the other do as best he may. If you win her, I shall bid you God-speed. If I win, you may do the same. Is not this the nobler way?”