"It is obvious that our friend Melville must meet Schwarzfelder," said Marcel, at length. "This Hessian is a drunkard and a bravo; but he is an officer of rank, even of much higher rank than Melville. Our man, therefore, must teach him a lesson. Do you say so, gentlemen?" "We do say so," replied Catron, Moore, and Vivian together. I saw that they were right, according to the code of the day, and I began, in spite of myself, to feel a willingness for the combat. Catron said that they were persecuting me, and that word "Persecute" began to inflame my anger. I would show them that persecuting had its risks. "I am not much of a swordsman," I said; "but I am a good shot, and so I choose pistols at twenty paces." "Then pistols it is," said Catron; "and now for a letter to Belfort, who is to be Schwarzfelder's second, which will show that we know how to manage such an affair as this in the most courteous manner." Then we set ourselves to the task of writing the letter,--a labor that was by no means small,--and while we were hard-set at it, Waters came into the room again and saluted. "Well?" said Catron, impatiently. "Your honor," said Waters, apologetically, "there is some news of interest in the city, and I thought that you would pardon me for telling it to you." "Wait! Do you not see that we are busy? You should not interrupt!" replied Marcel. "But this is a most extraordinary affair, and the whole town is ringing with it," rejoined the man. I saw now that his eyes were sparkling after the manner of one who has a budget of good gossip to tell and is anxious to tell it. The others noticed it too, and our own curiosity began to rise. "What is it, Waters?" I asked. He opened his hands, showing a piece of white paper about a foot long and perhaps half as wide. "There is writing upon it; I ask your honor to read it," he said. I took it and read: To SIR WILLIAM HOWE, _Commander-in-chief of His Britannic Majesty's forces in Philadelphia_:-- I beg to present to you my compliments, and to notify you that I shall pay a visit to the City of Philadelphia one night this week, in order that you may prepare a reception worthy of yourself and me. Yours faithfully, WILLIAM WILDFOOT, _Captain in the Continental Army_. "It is said that over twenty of these have been found in the city to-day," said Waters, "all exactly alike, and written in the same hand." The penmanship was large, rough, and angular, evidently that of a man more accustomed to grasping the sword than the goose quill. Catron swore a tremendous oath. "Well, of all unmitigated impertinences this is the greatest!" he exclaimed. "It's mere bravado," said Vivian. "Of course the man will not think of venturing into Philadelphia." "They say that he surely will come," said Waters; "it is the gossip of the city."