manly methods. Do gentlemen force their attentions upon
unwilling ladies?"

"Oh, if you refuse," retorted Williams, ignoring his question, "I can
slap your face now in the public streets."

"Don't do it, Williams," responded Dic, looking to the ground and trying
to remain calm.

"Why?" Williams asked.

"Because--I will fight you if you insist, without the occasion of a
street brawl. Another name might be brought into that."

"Am I to understand that you accept my challenge?" asked Williams.

"Yes, if you insist," replied Dic, calmly, as if he were accepting an
invitation to dinner. "I have always supposed that this sort of an
affair should be arranged between gentlemen by their friends; but of
course I don't know how gentlemen act under these circumstances. Perhaps
you don't consider me a gentleman, and you certainly must have some
doubts in your mind concerning yourself; therefore, it may be proper for
us to arrange this little matter with each other."

"I suppose you would prefer seconds," returned Williams. "They might
prevent a meeting."

After a few moments of silence Dic said, "If we fight, I fear another
person's name will be dragged into our quarrel."

"You may, if you wish, find plenty of excuses," returned Roger. "If you
wish to accept my challenge, do so. If not, say so, and I will take my
own course."

"Oh, I'll accept," returned Dic, cheerily. "As the challenged party, if
we were gentlemen, I believe I might choose the weapons."

"Yes," responded Williams.

"What do you suppose would be the result were I to choose rifles at two
hundred yards?" asked Dic, with an ugly smile on his face.

"I should be delighted," responded the other. "I expected you to choose
hoes or pitchforks."

"I think it fair to tell you," said Dic, "that I can hit a silver dollar
four times out of five shots at two hundred yards, and you will probably
do well to hit a barn door once out of ten at that distance. I will let
you see me shoot before I definitely choose weapons. Afterwards, if you
prefer some other, I will abide your choice."

"I am satisfied with your choice," responded Williams, who prided
himself upon his rifle-shooting, in which accomplishment Dic had
underrated his antagonist.

"We must adopt some plan to prevent people from connecting another
person with this affair," suggested Dic. "If you will come down to
Bays's farm for a day's hunting, I will meet you there, and the result
may be attributed by