ry of home, kindred, and friends; the probability that all such ties
were to be severed _now_ and for ever; some regret that laurels lately
won were to be so briefly worn; the near prospect of life's termination;
of a death inglorious--perhaps scarcely to be recorded; vague visions of
a future world; doubts not unmingled with dread, about the life to come:
such were the thoughts that whirled confusedly through my brain.

And the _proximate_ past had also its share in my reflections--perhaps
occupying the largest space of all. That thing of light and gold--that
but an hour ago had filled my heart to overflowing--was still there,
mingling with its last emotions! Was I never more to look upon that
radiant form? never more behold that face so divinely fair? never more
listen to that melodious voice? Never more! The negative answer to
these mental interrogatives--though only conjectural--was the bitterest
reflection of all!

Still stir not the vultures: only to preen their black plumes with fetid
beak; or, extending their broad wings, to shadow the sunbeam from their
bodies. It is the hour of noon; and the sun, shining down from the
zenith, permeates the atmosphere with his sultriest rays. The birds
droop under the extreme heat. It imbues them with a listless torpor.
Carrion itself would scarce tempt them from their perch. Five minutes
have elapsed; and not one moves from the tree--neither to swoop to the
earth, nor soar aloft in the air! I no longer wish them to tarry. The
suspense is terrible to endure--the more so from the ominous stillness
that reigns around. Since the last angry challenge, not a word has been
exchanged between my adversary and myself. In sullen silence, we eye
each other, with scintillating glances watching for the signal.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The situation was more than unpleasant. I longed for the _finale_. My
antagonist also showed signs of impatience. No longer preserving his
statue-like _pose_, his body began to sway from side to side; while at
intervals, he stamped the ground with his heavy heel. From the
increasing anger that betrayed itself in his looks, I expected an
explosion. It came at length. "Durn them buzzarts!" cried he, with a
hurried gesture, "thar agwine to keep us stannin' hyur till sundown.
Durn the sleepy brutes! we can't wait no longer on 'em. I dare ye--"

The challenge thus commenced was never completed-