'Mr. Harland, I believe that craven has notified the officers of
justice, and that he expects them to come and break up the affair.
Let us therefore proceed. He may keep on the remainder of his wraps.
No delay; measure off the ground.' The two seconds then measured off
fifteen paces, and stopped.

'Not such a short distance as that!' shrieked Mr. Ham.

'Why, I thought your friend never fired except with a shot-gun at
crows?' Harland observed. 'But it appears that he is a crack shot.
And so generous, too; since the greater distance is intended no doubt
for the safety of Mr. Gray.' This was said in a tone just loud enough
to be heard by all the rest.

'Ask Mr. Ham what distance he would propose--I have no objection to
the inquiry.'

'What distance would you propose, Mr. Ham!' inquired the second.

'My pistol will carry at least a hundred yards; I drove a ball
through an inch board with her yesterday. Why not make it, say eighty
paces?'

'Because, Mr. Drummond,' Harland replied, 'over fifteen paces is
"poltroon distance," and, besides, our pistols do not carry
effectively more than twenty paces. We will not, however, under any
circumstances, fight on "poltroon distance."'

'I agree,' replied Mr. Drummond.