must keep myself in good countenance. Whatever
happens, be sure that I am loving you with all my heart, and longing
for the time when I can make you my wife."

This letter he put into his pocket with the purpose of asking Preston
to deliver it if circumstances should drive him out of England or into
prison.

Captain Preston went with Solomon Binkus next day to the address on the
card of Lieutenant Clarke. It was the house of the General, who was
waiting with his son in the reception room. They walked together to
the Almack Club. The General was self-contained. It would seem that
his bad opinion of Yankees was not quite so comprehensive as it had
been. The whole proceeding went forward with the utmost politeness.

"General, Mr. Binkus and John Irons, Jr., are my friends," said Captain
Preston.

"Indeed!" the General answered.

"Yes, and they are friends of England. They saved my neck in America.
I have assured young Irons that your words, if they were correctly
reported to me, were spoken in haste, and that they do not express your
real opinion."

"And what, sir, were the words reported to you?" the General asked.

Preston repeated them.

"That is my opinion."

"It is mine also," young Clarke declared.

Solomon's face changed quickly. He took deliberate aim at the enemy
and drawled:

"Can't be yer opinion is wuth more than the lives o' these young
fellers that's goin' to fight."

"Gentlemen, you will save time by dropping all thought of apologies,"
said the General.

"Then it only remains for you to choose your weapons and agree with us
as to time and place," said Preston.

"I choose pistols," said the young Britisher. "The time and place may
suit your convenience, so it be soon and not too far away,"

"Let us say the cow wallow on Shooter's Hill, near the oaks, at sunrise
to-morrow," Preston proposed.

"I agree," the Lieutenant answered.

"Whatever comes of it, let us have secrecy and all possible protection
from each side to the other when the affair is ended," said Preston.

"I agree to that also," was the answer of young Clarke.

When they were leaving, Solomon said to Preston:

"That 'ere Gin'ral is as big as Goliar."

CHAPTER IX

THE ENCOUNTER

Solomon, Jack and their friend left London that afternoon in the saddle
and took lodgings at The Rose and Garter, less than a mile from the
scene appointed for the encounter. That morning the Americans had sent
a friend of Pre