in the distance, only made the scene more desolate and dreary.
The ground was paced off and the men arranged. While this was
being done, the surgeon, by the light of a dark lantern, arranged
his instruments, which consisted of 1 common hand-saw, 1 hatchet,
1 butcher knife, a large variety of smaller knives, and a small
mountain of old rag. Neither of the principals exhibited any
fear. Culkins insisted that, as the challenging party, he had
the right to the word fire. This, after a bitter discussion, was
granted. He urged his seconds to place him facing towards the
town, so that the lights would be in his favour. This was done
without any trouble, the immense benefits of that position not
being discovered by Smith's second.

"If I fall," said Culkins to his second, "see me respectably
buried and forward bill to Connaught. Believe me, it will be
cashed." The arms (horse-pistols) were given to the men, and one
of Culkins's seconds said:

"Gentlemen, are you ready?"

SMITH:--Ready.

CULKINS:--Ready. The blood of the Culkinses is aroused!

SECOND:--One, Two, Three--fire!

Culkins's pistol didn't go off. Smith didn't fire.

"That was generous in Smith not to fire," said a second.