"You must be at a loss for something to do, that you covet such business as this;" began Charley. "I have no objection to your blowing your brains out--and any coroner in the country would decide that an inquest would be 'much-ado about nothing;' but it is another matter when you try, in cold blood, to take the life of one, who has some pretensions to the name of man. You are a cowardly poltroon! If you are on the look-out for insults, there is one, if truth can insult. Two policemen are at a little distance. The law will have a more serious job than I anticipated. There are five witnesses to the fact, that you fired in advance of the time. Join this to your provocation of the other night, and your having sent the challenge; and it will not require a Philadelphia lawyer to make out a case, which will put a stop to your murderous propensities for awhile. Now, sir, what do you propose to do?" The bully shook visibly. "Really, Mr. Dana, this is an extraordinary procedure. You and I have no quarrel." "I beg your pardon--men of honour do not pass over such remarks as I have indulged in. You did not hear me, perhaps; I said, and say now, you are a pitiful poltroon! shaking in your shoes, this minute, at the prospect of the penitentiary, and the loss of your soap-locks. But before I give you into the keeping of your lawful guardians, I have a proposal to make on my own account. I came here with the intention of giving you a castigation for your impertinent mention of a lady. I will not fight a duel with you, but if you resist, I will take care you do not shoot _me_. I meant to horse-whip you, and I will--within an inch of your life, if you do not make an ample apology. You cannot bully or blarney me, Pemberton. We know each other." In abject terms, he declared that he had the highest veneration for Mr. Dana's friend, Miss Ross; he was in wine at the time spoken of, and was unaware, until told of it, that he had mentioned her-- "That will do!" interposed Charley. "Are you ready to rejoin your friends?" "You will not do me this great injury, Mr. Dana! think of the exposure--the disgrace! A duel is an honourable affair, if carried out; but when it takes a turn like this, you will admit it looks confoundedly mean." Charley could not but smile at his ludicrously pathetic tone. "Will you bind yourself to behave better to your superiors--Mr. Holmes included--if I help you out of the scrape?" The pledge was eagerly given. "Your best plan will be to state to the company that, in consequence of explanations made by me, you retract the challenge, and likewise the offensive remark that provoked Mr. Holmes to assault you. Offer your hand to him, with the best grace you can muster; jump into your carriage--and you shall not be pursued."