CHAPTER III.

THE DUEL.


On the following morning, Gray, accompanied by his second, rode away
towards the place of meeting. The sun had not risen, but the eastern
arc of the horizon was suffused with deep crimson which terminated in
a rosy pink. A small hollow running at right angles to the Don, and
known at that time as Sleepy Gulch, was the place chosen for the
encounter. As the two men reached the mouth of this gulch they
perceived the opposite party upon the brow of the hill. A second or
two later another horseman appeared. This was the medical gentleman.

The combatants met, and Roland bowed haughtily to Mr. Ham. To
Drummond he said simply:

'Good morning, sir.' Harland took his friend aside for a moment.
There was a look of mingled disgust and merriment in his face.

'Merciful heaven,' he said, 'look at the size of our friend Ham.'

'I have noticed it,' replied our hero, with a contemptuous curl of
his lip.

'I firmly believe he has half the bedclothes of his establishment
wrapped about him,' Roland interrupted.