TO HAVE IT OUT 169 



the punishment ; " and I stood with my right 

 drawn d la Jeffries, ready to follow the word 

 by the deed. Eight here the gentlemanly 

 major stepped between us, took the rod from 

 him, and passed it to me, with the remark, 

 " Captain, this is most disgraceful." My as- 

 sailant showed his approval of my defending 

 myself by the remark, " At any rate, you are a 

 plucky old fellow," as he had reason a little 

 later on to substantiate. Thus ended scene 

 three. 



The major entered into conversation with 

 me, while the captains mustered their servants, 

 and, after a short consultation, started for the 

 boom to cross to the mill-side, where S. and 

 F. and their guides still were. When they 

 had reached the fish-pass, three of them con- 

 tinued crossing, while Captain C. returned to 

 the major, accosting him thus : " Major, we 

 are going over to fight this out with these 

 fellahs, and want you to come over." " No, 

 no ! Captain C., don't be so foolish. You are 

 disgracing your rank. Let the thing drop 

 here." " No, we are going to have it out." So 

 off he started again. Now, I concluded, if 

 there was to be a skirmish, the boys were not 



