here, you young varmints, are you? And you may thank me that
you're up for a simple breach of the peace, instead of for murder, so you
may!" she said, as soon as she saw the two young men.

Leonidas bowed and smiled.

Roland laughed, and, rising, gave her his own chair, and then stood up
against the corner of the mantelpiece, since there was no other chair in
the office.

She seated herself, with a look of determination to do her duty.

The squire took up the New Testament, and, handing it toward the old lady,
said:

"Miss Bayard, will you take the usual oath, and then state what you know
of this case?"

"No, I won't take no oath, because I won't break the command of Him who
said, 'Swear not at all,' but I will make an afformation."

And she lifted her withered hand and made a most solemn affirmation that
she would speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, to
the best of her knowledge and belief, concerning them young tigers and the
duel they were planning to fight.

And, having done this, she cleared her throat and began her story.

Leonidas arose from his chair, and went and stood by the side of Roland,
and while their accuser gave in her evidence they nudged each other and
laughed to themselves like a couple of schoolboys.

"Well, squire, it was yesterday afternoon, and me and Roland was in the
house together, for he had just come home from Port Tobacco after going to
send that telegram to that parson 'way out yonder and waiting to get an
answer 'bout the marriage out there. You know, squire."

"Yes, I know. Proceed."

"Well, while we was talkin'--me and Roland--up rides that young panther
there," she said, pointing to Le, who kissed his hand to her for the
compliment.

"And my scamp--him there," pointing to Roland, who bowed and smiled, "saw
the horse and rider through the window, and rushed out to meet the wisiter
and shut the door after him; but he didn't shut it tight enough, and so it
came ajar, and the draught come through on my back, and chilled me, and
I'm so subject to lumbago that I can't stand a draught on my back. You
know, squire."

Mr. Force merely nodded, and the witness continued:

"So I ups and goes to call them boys in out'n the cold, and to shut the
door. And then I seen Mr. Le--him there--sitting in his saddle and
bending down, talking werry fierce-like to Roland. And Roland--him
there--listening as grim as a meat ax. And I says to myself, when two or
three of