words. Just now we were having
one of the class labelled 'not so hot.'"

"What's the matter with you Johnnies?" was called across. "You've
broken off the talk just when it was getting interesting. Are you going
to back out on that bet? We thought you had better manners. We know
you have."

"You're right, we have," said St. Clair, shouting across the stream,
"but we were interrupted by a man who hasn't."

"Oh, is that so?" was called back. "If you've troubles of your own,
we won't interfere. We'll just look on."

Bertrand was pallid with rage.

"I'm a captain in the Invincibles, Mr. St. Clair," he said, "and you're
only a lieutenant. You'll return to your regiment at once and prepare
a written apology to me for the words that you've just used to those
Yankees."

"Oh, no, I won't do either," drawled St. Clair purposely. "It is true
that a captain outranks a lieutenant, but you're a company commander and
I'm a staff officer. I take no orders from you."

"Nevertheless you have insulted me, and there is another and perhaps
better way to settle it."

He significantly touched the hilt of his sword.

"Oh, if you mean a duel, it suits me well enough," said St. Clair,
who was an expert with the sword.

"Early to-morrow morning in the woods back of this point?"

"Suits me."

"Your seconds?"

Then Harry jumped to his feet in a mighty wrath and indignation.

"There won't be any duel! And there won't be any seconds!" he exclaimed.

"Why not?" asked Bertrand, his face livid.

"Because I won't allow it."

"How can you help it?"

"It's a piece of thunderation foolishness! Two good Southern soldiers
trying to kill each other, when they've sworn to use all their efforts
killing Yankees. It's a breach of faith and it's silliness on its own
account. You've received the hospitality of my father's house, Captain
Bertrand, and he's helped you and been kind to you elsewhere. You owe
me enough at least to listen to me. Unless I get the promise of you two
to drop this matter, I swear I'll go straight to General Jackson and
tell all about it. He'll save you the trouble of shooting each other.
He'll have you shot together. You needn't frown, either of you.
It's not much fun breaking the rules of a Presbyterian elder who is also
one of the greatest generals the world has ever seen."

"You're talking sound sense, Harry," said Happy Tom, an unexpected ally.
"I've several objections to this duel myself. We'll