"But I have not done with _you_, young sir," was the immediate speech of Rivers--his self-confidence and much of his composure returned, as, with a fierce and malignant look, and a quick stride, he approached the youth. "You have thought proper to make a foul charge against me, which I have denied. It has been shown that your assertion is unfounded, yet you persist in it, and offer no atonement. I now demand redress--the redress of a gentleman. You know the custom of the country, and regard your own character, I should think, too highly to refuse me satisfaction. You have pistols, and here are rifles and dirks. Take your choice." The youth looked upon him with ineffable scorn as he replied-- "You mistake me, sirrah, if you think I can notice your call with anything but contempt." "What! will you not fight--not fight? not back your words?" "Not with you!" was the calm reply. "You refuse me satisfaction, after insulting me!" "I always took him for a poor chicken, from the first time I set eyes on him," said one of the spectators. "Yes, I didn't think much of him, when he refused to join us," was the remark of another. "This comes of so much crowing; Brag is a good dog, but Holdfast is better," went on a third, and each man had his remark upon Colleton's seeming timidity. Scorn and indignation were in all faces around him; and Forrester, at length awakened from his stupor by the tide of fierce comment setting in upon his friend from all quarters, now thought it time to interfere. "Come, 'squire, how's this? Don't give way--give him satisfaction, as he calls it, and send the lead into his gizzard. It will be no harm done, in putting it to such a creature as that. Don't let him crow over old Carolina--don't, now, squire! You can hit him as easy as a barndoor, for I saw your shot to-day; don't be afraid, now--stand up, and I'll back you against the whole of them." "Ay, bring him forward, Forrester. Let him be a man, if he can," was the speech of one of the party. "Come,'squire, let me say that you are ready. I'll mark off the ground, and you shall have fair play," was the earnest speech of the woodman in terms of entreaty. "You mistake me greatly, Forrester, if you suppose for a moment that I will contend on equal terms with such a wretch. He is a common robber and an outlaw, whom I have denounced as such, and whom I can not therefore fight with. Were he a gentleman, or had he any pretensions to the character, you should have no need to urge me on, I assure you." "I know that, 'squire, and therefore it provokes me to think that the skunk should get off. Can't you, now, lay aside the gentleman just long enough to wing him? Now, do try!" The youth smiled as he shook his head negatively. Forrester, with great anxiety, proceeded:-- "But, 'squire, they won't know your reason for refusing, and they will set you down as afear'd. They will call you a coward!"