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Show 140 ROEBUCK. "Yes." "Don't yon intcncl to challenge him ?" "It is on thnt point I ·want ad vice. I am consci-ent. ions]y opposed to duelling." "Did you ever tell anybody so before?" " \V ell-no-I believe not." "Yon have allowed it to be understood that you acknowledge the code ?" "Perhaps I have, thoughtlessly." "Then you are thoughtful too late. If a gentlcn1an is only known to be religious and consistent, he may decline a duel 'vithout disgrace. Snch n. n1an is scldotn insulted and never insults. But if a 1nan becomes conscientious only ·when there is a pistol in vie,v, people dra'v ugly inferences." "Yon think then that I u1ust challenge him ?" "I have not said that. I have not undertaken to advise you. \Ve arc ahnost strangers to each other. I can have nothing to do ·with a duel 'vithout resign-ing ll1J COITimlSSlOll. YOU lUUSt CXCUSC 1110." "To when1 can I apply. I an1 1nnch distressed." "I can find you an adviser. Bullitt, from Rich- · n1ond, is no'v in camp. lie is tho very man for affi1irs of honor. lie knows al1 about them. lie studies the1n. lie practises thCin. IIe'd rather be invited to a duel than to a dinner. IIe 'vill be glad to ad vise yon and act for you too, as your friend. lie is like a Qnakcr, a frlend to all the 'vorld. Cotne along, I'll introduce you to hin1." .. During this speech Potter got up and put on his clothes. At the end of it he started out of the tent, followed by Palmer, 'vho felt but little encouraged by the character of the friend he ·was about to 1neet, as sketched by his guide. He 'vas dragged on ward, ROEBUCK. however, by the circumstances of his position and by his fear of losing caRte an1ono- young men of spirit. Throug·h the n1ncl nnd darkness Potter Inarched on inexorably, and Pahner trudged after hirn in rueful silence. At length they arrived at a tent in 1vhic.h .l\Ir. Bullitt, the 1nan of honor, 'vas lodging as the guest of a friencl. J>ottcr r:tllod hin1, nnd as soon ns he ,vas awake, signified to hi1n that nn officer desired son1c private convcr~ation 'vith hin1. \Vith great alertness he sprang fron1 the cot on 'vhich he slept and briskly stepped out of the tent. Potter announced his own name, for they could not distinguish each other in tho dark, and then introduced Captain Palmer. lie informecl l\lr. Bnllitt that t.he captain ·was involved in a delicate m1~tir and needed a friend. "I have taken the liberty," he added, "to rocon1n1ecl hin1 to you and to assure hi1n that you " rould not refu e hin1 the favor he desires." "On the contrary, it 'vill afford 1110 pleasure to act as a friend of any friend of yours, I\lr. Potter," said Bullitt. "Then, gentlcn1cn, I 1nay leave you together; good night, gcntlctnen." Bullett., by a fe\v rapid and c1 eciRi ve questions, drew from Palmer the n1aterial circumstances, and then bounced into the tent, ,vherc he got a n1atch, lighted a candle, dre\v forth paper, pen and ink, placed then1 on a boan1 upon his knee and began to 'vrite. Pahner conld then sec that he 'vas a sn1all, 'vithored nwn, with no clothes on hitn but a shirt and pantaloons, :. red night-cap, ,,·ith a hnge tassel, and 1nnddy boots, hastily pulled on so as to carry his 'vrinklcd pantaloons with them up to his knees~ lie had a peaked nose, little· glistening black eyes aud a long, h~avy |