Gentlemen Riders 



the wing with a pistol ball, and had not long before killed 

 ninety-eight pheasants out of a hundred shots, while at pigeons 

 he had no superior. As in addition he made no secret of his 

 intention of killing his man if possible, the chances are that, 

 but for General Anson's sagacity, Lord George's career would 

 have ended there and then. Addressing both the principals, 

 he impressed upon them that, if the affair drifted into a Court 

 of Justice, the verdict of the jury would depend mainly on his 

 evidence, and that if either disobeyed instructions and chanced 

 to kill his adversary, the law would regard him as a murderer. 

 The General added that the word would be " one — two — three." 

 That each man was to fire immediately ** three " was called out, 

 and until then they were to keep their eyes on him. If either 

 failed to fire that very instant, he — the General — warned them 

 solemnly to beware of the consequences. Withdrawing for a 

 few paces, General Anson called out loudly, " Gentlemen, are 

 you ready ? " A word from each in response, and the next 

 instant the cry " One," rang out with startling clearness. 

 What seemed quite a long pause followed, and then almost in 

 the same breath General Anson vociferated " Two, Three ! " 

 Lord George immediately fired in the air, but Mr. Osbaldeston 

 was so flurried in his aim that his bullet merely went through 

 his adversary's hat within a couple of inches of his head. ** I 

 didn't think you were so bad a shot. Squire," laughingly 

 remarked General Anson, overjoyed at the success of his 

 stratagem. " It might have come off differently next time," 

 growled out Osbaldeston, as he turned away. For some years 

 the adversaries never spoke ; but there came a time when 

 Lord George, who trained at Danebury, wanted to join the 

 Bibury Club, and old John Day's diplomacy was brought into 

 play with a view to dissuade Mr. Osbaldeston from interfering 

 with the other's election. All animosity, however, had long 



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