h to
get away again. If we here suffer injury from one another, we take
justice into our own hands--as you allege yourself partly to have done
in this case--and there the matter generally ends. Rivers, you think,
assaulted you, and had the worst of it. You got off with but little harm
yourself, and a reasonable man ought to be satisfied. Nothing more need
be said of it. This is the wisest course, let me advise you. Be quiet
about the matter, go on your way, and leave us to ourselves. Better
suffer a little wrong, and seem to know nothing of it, than risk a
quarrel with those who, having once put themselves out of the shelter of
the laws, take every opportunity of putting them at defiance. And what
if you were to push the matter, where will the sheriff or the military
find us? In a week and the judge will arrive, and the court will be in
session. For that week we shall be out of the way. Nobody shall
know--nobody can find us. This day's work will most probably give us all
a great itch for travel."

Munro had, in truth, made out a very plain case; and his
representations, in the main, were all correct. The youth felt their
force, and his reason readily assented to the plain-sense course which
they pointed out. Contenting himself, therefore, with reiterating the
charge, he concluded with saying that, for the present, he would let the
affair rest. "Until the ruffian"--thus he phrased it--"had answered the
penalties of the laws for his subsequent and more heinous offence
against them, he should be silent."

"But I have not done with _you_, young sir," was the immediate speech of
Rivers--his self-confidence and much of his composure returned, as, with
a fierce and malignant look, and a quick stride, he approached the
youth. "You have thought proper to make a foul charge against me, which
I have denied. It has been shown that your assertion is unfounded, yet
you persist in it, and offer no atonement. I now demand redress--the
redress of a gentleman. You know the custom of the country, and regard
your own character, I should think, too highly to refuse me
satisfaction. You have pistols, and here are rifles and dirks. Take your
choice."

The youth looked upon him with ineffable scorn as he replied--

"You mistake me, sirrah, if you think I can notice your call with
anything but contempt."

"What! will you not fight--not fight? not back your words?"

"Not with you!" was the calm reply.

"You refuse me satisfaction, after