e chap may git bored 'fore he has time to
pull. I ain't much skeered."

Jack was nervous, although not from fear. His estimate of the value of
human life had been increased by his affection for Margaret. When
Solomon had gone to bed and the lights were blown, the young man felt
every side of his predicament to see if there were any peaceable way
out of it. For hours he labored with this hopeless task, until he fell
into a troubled sleep, in which he saw great battalions marching toward
each other. On one side, the figures of himself and Solomon were
repeated thousands of times, and on the other was a host of Lionel
Clarkes.

The words came to his ear: "My son, we're goin' to fight the first
battle o' the war."

Jack awoke suddenly and opened his eyes. The candle was lighted.
Solomon was leaning over him. He was drawing on his trousers.

"Come, my son," said the scout in a gentle voice. "They ain't a cloud
an' the moon has got a smile on her face. Come, my young David.
Here's the breeches an' the purty stockin's an' shoes, an' the lily
white shirt. Slip 'em on an' we'll kneel down an' have a word o'
prayer. This 'ere ain't no common fight. It's a battle with tyranny.
It's like the fight o' David an' Goliar. Here's yer ol' sling waitin'
fer ye!"

Solomon felt the pistols and stroked their grips with a loving hand.

Side by side they knelt by the bed together for a moment of silent
prayer.

Others were stirring in the inn. They could hear footsteps and low
voices in a room near them. Jack put on his suit of brown velvet and
his white silk stockings and best linen, which he had brought in a
small bag. Jack was looking at the pistols, when there came a rap at
the door. Preston entered with Doctor Brooks.

"We are to go out quietly ahead of the others," said the Captain.
"They will follow in five minutes."

Solomon had put on the old hanger which had come to England with him in
his box. He put the pistols in his pocket and they left the inn by a
rear door. A groom was waiting there with the horses saddled and
bridled. They mounted them and rode to the field of honor. When they
dismounted on the ground chosen, the day was dawning, but the great
oaks were still waist deep in gloom. It was cold.

Preston called his friends to his side and said:

"You will fight at twenty paces. I shall count three and when I drop
my handkerchief you are both to fire."

Solomon turned to Jack and said:

"I