98 Hunting in the Golden Days. 



expedient he may perhaps avoid the greater catastrophe, 

 he then and there accepts Mr. Oldwig's challenge and 

 withdraws. 



High and low he searches in vain for a trusty hench- 

 man who will stand by him in this terrible ordeal 

 through which he has to pass, but it seems that his 

 behaviour has been thoroughly discussed and debated 

 on, and everybody is of the opinion that his conduct 

 has been of the most infamous kind. He is compelled 

 as a last resource to apply to an ex-poacher and a 

 drunken stable-keeper, both villains of the lowest 

 type who, having had their qualms overcome by the 

 offer of a large bribe, at last unwillingly consent to act 

 as his seconds. 



At length the fatal day draws near. Everything 

 is ready ; the ground is measured ; a doctor is in 

 attendance with a box of surgical ^instruments, lint, 

 and bandages. Oldwig is there, looking pale but con- 

 fident ; his two seconds are Sir John and Mr. Lofty. 

 Both these refuse in any way to recognise our hero. 

 Two duelling pistols, with hair triggers, are soon loaded 

 and distributed by the seconds. The morning air is 

 chill and cold ; a white mist blows up, and the seconds 

 declare that the combatants are too far apart to see 

 each other properly. 



Goodbery turns round to the ex-poacher and requests 

 him to give him a drink of brandy to steady his hand^ 

 as he is in a very weak and nervous condition. Unfor- 

 tunately the seconder, who should have been provided 

 with a flask, has already drunk the contents himself, 

 thinking that it would not be needed. 



The ground is now re-measured ; the combatants are 

 in position, and the signal is given to fire. There is a 

 flash and a loud report, and Goodbery still finds himself 



