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The Sea-Witch - Or, the African Quadroon : a Story of the Slave Coast by Maturin Murray Ballou
page 82 of 215 (38%)

It had been arranged that both parties should aim and fire between the
commencement and end of pronouncing the words, "one, two, three," by the
surgeon; and that individual, having placed his box of instrument with
professional coolness upon the ground, took his position to give the
signal agreed upon, when he said, in a preparatory tone:

"Gentlemen, are you ready?"

To which both answered by an inclination of the head, and then
immediately followed:

"One, two, three!"

Almost before the first word was fairly articulated, the sharp quick
report of Captain Bramble's pistol was heard, and the next moment he was
observed gazing intently upon his adversary, to see whether he had
wounded him, and observing that he had not, he dashed his weapon to the
ground, uttering a fierce oath at his luck.

In the meantime Captain Ratlin had not moved an inch, not even a muscle;
his hand containing the pistol had hung quietly at his side, and his
face still remained undisturbed. He had kept his word, and would not
fire upon the friend of the woman whom he truly respected, and
earnestly, devotedly, though hopelessly loved.

Captain Bramble paced back and forth like a caged lion, until at last,
coming opposite and near to his adversary, he coarsely remarked:

"It is much easier for a trembling hand to retain a perpendicular
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