enant sat down heavily.

"Well, you are the limit," he said. "You are always in a scrape of
some kind. I suppose it's up to me to prevent the duel."

"No chance," said Hal briefly.

"No," agreed Chester, "and it's up to you to make the third party on
our side. I suppose the other crowd will bring a surgeon."

"Do you know what will happen if you are found out?" demanded the
lieutenant.

"No," said Hal.

"Well, it probably will mean strict confinement, at least. The
regulations in regard to dueling are very stringent."

"I can't help that," said Hal. "I can't back out now."

"Well, if that's the way you feel about it," replied the lieutenant,
"I'll help you as best I can. I'll stay here to-night and go along to
see that you get fair play."

CHAPTER VIII.

THE DUEL.

It was hardly light when Chester, who had been unable to close his
eyes, aroused Lieutenant Anderson. The two finished dressing before
rousing Hal, thinking to give him all the rest possible before waking
him up. Finally Chester shook him by the shoulder.

"What's the matter," muttered Hal drowsily. "Time to get up already? I
just went to sleep. What's up? Oh, yes, I remember now. I'm to fight a
duel this morning. All right, I'll be ready in a jiffy."

"How did you sleep?" demanded Chester, as Hal was dressing.

"Fine. Never slept better in my life."

Lieutenant Anderson approached and laid his finger on Hal's pulse.

"You'll do," he said quietly.

"I haven't any nerves, if that is what you mean," said Hal with a
smile.

Lieutenant Anderson smiled back at him.

"I believe it," he replied. "But come, we had better be on our way."

Quietly the three left the tent. There was a penetrating chill in the
early morning air. It was light now, but the sun had not yet appeared
above the horizon. Dense clouds obscured the sky.

"Not a very cheerful morning to die," commented Hal lightly, as they
made their way quietly along.

"You are not afraid, are you?" asked Chester anxiously.

"What, after yesterday? Not a little bit."

"I don't believe you know what fear is," declared Lieutenant Anderson.

Lieutenant Dupree, his two friends and a surgeon were already on the
ground when Hal, Chester and Lieutenant Anderson arrived. All raised
their caps as they came together. The seconds drew apart to discuss
the details of the duel, Hal and Lieutenant Dupree in the meantime
discarding their coats and rolling up their sleeves.

The details