rly far enough, disturbing the peace of our
entire company, and increasing the irritation between us. Let us
conclude the dissension in a thorough and honourable way that may
satisfy both and prove a final contest. After that I will agree to
strive not to give offence to you, and also to bear silently whatever
conceit and insults may escape you. Perhaps we may become friends.
But we cannot remain as we are. The blow you struck the other day
_must_ be answered for. _I ask satisfaction_, and the incompleteness
and vulgarity of a pugilistic encounter will not suit me. I propose,
therefore, as we cannot resort to the regular duel of pistols, (for
reasons so good and evident that I need not name them), that after the
example of the ancients, whose history we are now daily reading, we
have our combat. Arms of their fashion our ingenuity can supply, not
of the same materials, I know, but of wood, which should prove
effective enough for our purposes. I propose Saturday as the time,
when those who might otherwise disturb our meeting are absent: and I
propose the hold of the wreck as a suitable spot. Your sense of
honour will, of course, keep this affair secret, and I ask a speedy
reply.

"Drake Tregellin."

Only a warm, fierce, reckless-natured boy of fourteen could have hit
upon such an absurdly quixotic way of deciding a quarrel. Indian
combats between Red Indians in the Far West, the deeds of Sir Kenneth,
Saladin, and Coeur de Lion in his favourite "Talisman," and the entire
character of Drake's reading, had joined with and gathered romance from
his late study of Virgil to misdirect an innate chivalry.

Alfred Higginson's reply was also characteristic:--

"Drake Tregellin,

"I have received your _cartel_. In my humble opinion nothing could be
more stupid and silly than the resort you propose. I suppose you
think your proposition very _grand_ and _chivalric_. It endangers the
continuance of our stay on the cape; it rebels against the rule we are
under here; and it would make our parents unhappy. Its spirit of
selfishness and indifference to everything but your own impulse is the
same which causes and continues our quarrelling. But I shall be a
fool with you this time. I have not the courage to balk your desire.
I agree to the contest, if you agree to keep the peace after that. I
suppose javelins and shields of wood are to be our weapons. What