ch thing, for we are not often forced into the
company of her majesty's officers, and we wish to improve the
acquaintance."

The lieutenant looked at Fred as though mentally calculating what kind
of a man he was, but in spite of his dignity and bold face, he smiled,
and held out his cup for more coffee.

"Then I suppose that you will refer me to a friend with whom I can
consult, and settle all preliminary arrangements?" inquired the officer.

"Tell me," asked Fred, for the first time looking serious, "is your
friend really in earnest in this matter?"

"I have to inform you that, he is, sir; and that, as his friend, I have
promised to see him through the affair with honor," our visitor replied.

"Then I will gratify his lighting propensities, as I do not feel
disposed to retract words which, under the circumstances, he should have
considered as harmless. Jack, my boy," Fred said, turning to me, "will
you settle with this gentleman when the affair shall come off, and act
by me the part of a friend?"

I knew the nature of the man too well to try and dissuade him from the
duel--the most that I could do was to stand by him and endeavor to turn
every thing to his advantage. I gave him the promise he required, when
turning to Smith, who had sat at the table a patient listener, during
the whole conversation, Fred said--

"Come, Smith, you and I will visit the scene of the fire, and leave them
together."

"Now to business," the lieutenant said. "You are the challenged party,
and have the right to choose weapons. I have a beautiful pair of pistols
at the barracks, which I wish you would make choice of. You will fall in
love with them at the first sight."

"Very probable," I replied, coolly; "but if pistols are to settle the
quarrel, have a pair of Colt's revolvers which I know will command your
admiration. Here are the two instruments," and, as I spoke, I laid them
on the table.

"A murderous looking weapon, and not suited for the use of gentlemen at
ten paces," Merriam said, handling the revolvers with great respect.

"So I thought," I replied composedly, "and have resolved to have nothing
to do with pistols of any kind. They are an unsatisfactory weapon, and a
man has got to be a good shot to put a ball just where he pleases at ten
paces."

"Ah, then you have concluded to try the sword? A more gentlemanly weapon
it would be hard to find. Let swords decide it, then."

I saw a glow of satisfaction upon the face of