a retraction of those words or a
chance to match my courage against yours."

A murmur of surprise greeted his challenge.

The Britisher turned quickly with color mounting to his brow and
surveyed the sturdy form of the young man.

"I take back nothing that I say," he declared.

"Then, in behalf of my slandered countrymen, I demand the right to
fight you or any Britisher who has the courage to take up your quarrel."

Jack Irons had spoken calmly like one who had weighed his words.

The young Lieutenant who had entered the room with the fiery,
middle-aged Britisher, rose and faced the American and said:

"I will take up his quarrel, sir. Here is my card."

"And here is mine," said Jack. "When will you be at home?"

"At noon to-morrow."

"Some friend of mine will call upon you," Jack assured the other.

A look of surprise came to the face of the Lieutenant as he surveyed
the card in his hand. Jack was prepared for the name he read which was
that of Lionel Clarke.

Franklin wrote some weeks later in a letter to John Irons of Albany:
"When I came out of the physician's office I saw nothing in Jack's face
and manner to suggest the serious proceeding he had entered upon. If I
had, or if some one had dropped a hint to me, I should have done what I
could to prevent this unfortunate affair. He chatted with Sir John a
moment and we went out as if nothing unusual had happened. On the way
to my house we talked of the good weather we were having, of the late
news from America and of my summons to appear before the Privy Council.
He betrayed no sign of the folly which was on foot. I saw him only
once after he helped me into the house and left me to go to his
lodgings. But often I find myself thinking of his handsome face and
heroic figure and gentle voice and hand. He was like a loving son to
me."

2

That evening Solomon arrived with Preston. Solomon gave a whistle of
relief as he entered their lodgings on Bloomsbury Square and dropped
into a chair.

"Wal, sir! We been flyin' eround as brisk as a bee," he remarked. "I
feel as if I had spraint one leg and spavined t'other. The sun was
over the fore yard when we got back, and since then, we went to see the
wild animals, a hip'pottermas, an' lions, an' tigers, an' snakes, an' a
bird with a neck as long as a hoe handle, an' a head like a tommyhawk.
I wouldn't wonder if he could peck some, an' they say he can fetch a
kick that would knock a hoss down.