e last day of the voyage, soon after breakfast,
while Burr and Deville were enjoying the morning sunshine and
discussing the French Revolution, Arlington heard a knock on the door
of his room, in which he sat writing a letter.

"Come in," he shouted, hurrying to pen down the sentence that was in
his mind. The door opened, and Burke Pierce thrust his head and
shoulders into the room. Arlington glanced up from his writing and saw
a flushed face and a pair of bloodshot eyes.

"You know what you called me up at Gallipolis?"

"Yes--dog."

"I'm a dog, eh? a filthy cur?"

The Virginian made an impatient gesture and dipped his quill into the
ink. The drunken boatman after a moment's pause said:

"I want you out here in the kitchen."

Arlington paid no attention to the insolent speech, but went on with
his letter writing.

Pierce, without closing the door, stepped back into the narrow
quarters in which Sheldrake did the cooking, and a minute later
reappeared with two long butcher knives, which he flung down on the
table, in front of Arlington.

"Take your choice."

Arlington picked up both the ugly weapons, one in each hand, and
stepping to a window, tossed them out into the river. The contemptuous
act raised the fury of the captain to the point of frenzy; he seized a
stick of firewood and rushed forward. Arlington parried the stroke,
closed in, and grappled his assailant. The noise of the scuffle
brought to the place Sheldrake and others of the crew. Summoning all
his strength, Arlington hurled Pierce backward over a chair with such
violence that the ruffian, falling on his head, was rendered
senseless. The Southerner stood on the defensive, expecting to be
attacked by the others, as he would have been, had not Burr strode
into the room, followed by the French doctor. The colonel's sudden
appearance on the scene prevented further turbulent demonstrations.
The three passengers repaired to the deck, leaving the drunken captain
to be revived by his faithful henchman, Sheldrake.

Arlington in few words told how he had been challenged, not stating
any cause for Burke Pierce's animosity.

"Wanted to butcher you without provocation! Has the fellow gone mad?"

"Mad from drink."

"This fellow's bellicose propensity," said Burr, "must be punished. I
shall have him arrested by the first magistrate I can find."

"Not on my account, colonel. He'll sober off. Your unctuous agent in
Pittsburg allowed that when cap is drunk