The duel thus insolently provoked was to be fought with pistols within the ruins of St. Ruth, and as Lovel and his second came near the place of combat, they heard no sound save their own voices mingling with those of the sheep bleating peacefully to each other upon the opposite hill. On the stump of an old thorn tree within the ruins sat the venerable figure of old Edie Ochiltree. Edie had a message to deliver. He told Lovel that he had been at the Sheriff's that very day, and had got it from the clerk himself that a warrant had been issued on Monkbarns's demand for the apprehension of Lovel. The old beggar had come hastily to warn the young man, thinking that perhaps it might be some matter of debt. But the appearance of Captain MacIntyre and his second, Mr. Lesley, soon informed him otherwise. The antagonists approached and saluted with the stern civility of the place and occasion. MacIntyre instantly ordered the old fellow off the field. "I _am_ an auld fellow," said Edie, "but I am also an auld soldier of your father's, and I served with him in the 42nd." "Serve where you please," said MacIntyre, hotly, "you have no title to intrude on us. Be off with you--or--" He lifted his cane as if to threaten the old man. But the insult roused Edie's ancient courage. "Hold down your switch, Captain MacIntyre! I am an auld soldier, and I'll tak' muckle from your father's son--but not a touch o' the wand while my pike-staff will hold together!" "I was wrong--I was wrong," said MacIntyre, relenting, "here is a crown for you--go your ways." But Edie refused the money, exhorting the young men to go and fight the French instead of each other, if they were so fighting hot. But neither his words nor the efforts of the seconds could reconcile MacIntyre to the man with whom he had from the first resolved to quarrel. The ground was measured out by the seconds, while old Edie stood unheeded at the side muttering, "Bairns, bairns--madmen, I should rather say! Weel, your blood be on your heads!" The fatal signal was given. Both fired almost at the same moment. Captain MacIntyre's ball grazed the side of his opponent, but failed to draw blood. That of Lovel was more true to the aim. MacIntyre reeled and fell. Raising himself on his arm, his first exclamation was: "It is nothing--it is nothing! Give us the other pistols!" But the moment after he added in a lower tone: "I believe I have enough, and what's worse, I fear I deserve it. Mr. Lovel, or whatever your name is, fly and save yourself. Bear witness all of you, I alone provoked the quarrel." Then raising himself on his arm, he added: "Shake hands, Lovel. I believe you to be a gentleman--forgive my rudeness, and I forgive you my death!" Lovel stood dizzy and bewildered, while the ship's surgeon approached to do his part. But presently his arm was grasped by Edie, who hurried him off the field with the assistance of Lieutenant Taffril, his late second.