538 D'EGVILLE ; OR, THE DUELLIST. 



that is to say, about two o'clock, and we retired to rest, the captain in 

 his state-room and I in a cot in the cabin. I slept soundly, and the 

 next morning was awoke by the steward, who acquainted me that 

 breakfast was ready. A head-ache immediately informed me how I 

 had spent the preceding night, to remedy which the Captain advised 

 me to spend the day on board, where the air is much cooler than in 

 town. I had little business on shore, and that little I felt no inclina- 

 tion to go about, so I followed his prescription. 



The cargo of the Planter being completed, Stewart had little todo, 

 so that the morning was spent in conversation, he being a great talker, 

 and was, besides, what great talkers are not often a deep thinker. 

 It is true, he had some singular ideas, yet if not always just, they 

 were original; he was sometimes erroneous, but never dull or 

 trivial." 



Who can that be coming on board, in a shore-boat? asked the 

 captain, looking through his telescope. " As I live, it is that 

 scoundrel Willthorpe, " Captain Willthorpe of the Columbian ser- 

 vice," as he calls himself. 



" Who may he be ?" 



" One of the Duellist's fraternity ; report says he killed a brother 

 republican officer, by the ingenious plan of loading his pistol with a 

 ball cut in quarters, and joined neatly together. I can guess the 

 purpose of his visit." The boat came alongside, and a person en- 

 quired if the captain was on board; receiving an answer in the 

 affirmative, he mounted the ladder. He was a young man of rather 

 an effeminate appearance, to obviate which, he had cultivated im- 

 mense whiskers, and a most warlike pair of mustaches. His head 

 was remarkably erect, and his cheeks puffed out with affected im- 

 portance ; his gait was " would be military." He wore a rather 

 threadbare surtout, covered with enormous frogs, and a high black 

 stock, there was a mixture of formality, overstrained politeness, and 

 military non-chalence in his address that reminded me of a private in 

 the barracks, who affects to imitate his officer. 



" Have the honour of addressing captain Stewart ?" The Captain 

 bowed assent. 



" That, sir, being the case, sir, I ah * have, ah, to request, the 

 honour of ah a private interview, sir " 



" I cannot conceive that you have any business with me, that this 

 entleman should not be a party to." 



" May I presume to ask, sir, if ah this gentleman has the honour, 

 sir, ah of being, sir, your friend ?" This he said eying me, and 

 laying a strong emphasis on the last word. 



" Whatever this gentleman has the honour of being, can be of little 

 consequence to you, sir ; will you be pleased to open your business ?" 

 At hearing tins rebuff, Willthorpe elevated his head to its utmost 

 height, puffed out his cheeks, pulled up his false collar, and then, 

 formally took from his pocket-book, a note, which he handed to the 

 Captain, saying, "Will you, sir, be pleased to peruse this, ah, note, 



* The Captain introduced a kind of drawling interjection between every 

 five words. 



