of mighty forest trees. The trees had taken on the beautiful hues
of autumn, and they flamed with red and gold and orange.

At least twenty had assembled to witness the duel. A surgeon stood near
with an open case of instruments at his feet. Many glanced at it, but
turned their eyes away quickly. It was too suggestive.

The principals were placed in position. A hush came over the little group
of spectators. Even the breeze seemed no longer to whisper lovingly among
the trees, but took upon itself the wail of a dirge, and a shower of
leaves, red as blood, fell around the contestants.

"Are you ready, gentlemen?" asked Mathews.

"Ready!" answered Calhoun.

"Ready!" said Conway.

"One--two--three--fire!"

Conway's pistol blazed, and Calhoun felt a slight twinge of pain. The ball
had grazed his left side, near the heart, and drawn a few drops of blood.
For a moment Calhoun stood, then coolly raised his pistol and fired in the
air.

The spectators raised a shout of applause; but Conway was white with rage.
"I demand another shot," he shouted, "Pennington's action has made a farce
of this meeting."

"It was the condition that but one shot should be allowed," remonstrated
Mathews.

"The condition has not been fulfilled," angrily replied Conway; "I demand
another shot."

In the mean time Matson had gone up to Calhoun, and seeing the hole
through his clothing, exclaimed. "My God! are you shot, Lieutenant?"

"A mere scratch; it's nothing," answered Calhoun.

An examination showed it to be so, but blood had been drawn. This should
have satisfied Conway, but it did not; he still insisted on a second shot.
This the seconds were about to refuse absolutely, when Calhoun asked to be
heard.

"Although Captain Conway richly deserved the blow I gave him," he said,
"yet as a gentleman and an officer I felt he could do no less than
challenge me. I have given him the satisfaction he demanded. If he insists
on continuing the duel, I shall conclude it is his desire to kill me
through personal malice, not on account of his injured honor, which
according to the code has been satisfied. This time there will be no
firing in the air. Give him the second shot, if he desires it."

"No! No!" cried a dozen voices.

Mathews went up to Conway, and speaking in a low tone, said: "You fool, do
you want to be killed? Pennington will kill you as sure as fate, if you
insist on the second shot. Now you are out of it honorably."

Conway mu