"Then, Mr. Belton, can we not, as the friends of the parties, make arrangements for a meeting in which each gentleman may vindicate his honor without the tragical results which must ensue from the use of such barbarous weapons as broad-axes?" "As I have said, and now repeat, a broad-axe is not a barbarous weapon. Its use is legitimate in the duello. Unless you agree to the terms which I am now about to propose, I shall adhere to my original selection." "What are your terms, Mr. Belton?" eagerly inquired Wiggins. "That I select the weapons, and that neither yourself nor our principals shall know what they are until I produce them on the field." "I agree to your terms, Mr. Belton; anything but broad-axes." "The weapons which I shall select will test the coolness and courage of both gentlemen. They will not be broad-axes. Are you satisfied?" "Perfectly." "Then, sir, as we have agreed upon the preliminary arrangement, I must bid you good-morning." In the corridor of the hotel Toney encountered M. T. Pate. "Mr. Belton--Mr. Belton," said Pate, "I--I could not prevail on Mr. Botts. He has sent a--a--a challenge, and there will be bloodshed, sir, and--and all about a--a--a monkey, sir." "Mr. Pate, I have the matter in hand, and I assure you, on the honor of a gentleman, that not a drop of blood will be spilt." "God bless you, Mr. Belton!" "Good-morning, Mr. Pate." And Toney hurried away, leaving Pate repeating his benediction with great fervor. CHAPTER VII. Hardly had Toney Belton's footsteps ceased to sound in the corridor before Wiggins snatched up his hat and hurried into the presence of his principal in extreme agitation. "Mr. Botts," he exclaimed, "I have just had an interview with Mr. Belton, the friend of Captain Bragg." "Captain Bragg then accepts the challenge?" said Botts. "Of course he does," said Wiggins, "and we have agreed upon the terms." "What time does Bragg propose for the meeting?" "Between daybreak and sunrise to-morrow." "A very excellent arrangement," said Botts. "The early hour will insure us against the chance of interruption. And the place?" Wiggins named the place designated by Belton, and the selection met with the approval of his principal, who inquired,-- "Did the captain choose fire-arms, or small swords? I am equally expert in the use of either." "Fire-arms or small swords!" exclaimed Wiggins,--"no, sir, he did not." "What weapon did he then select? I am at a loss to imagine." Wiggins hesitated and was silent. His features became strangely and alarmingly distorted. "Did you not agree upon the weapons? What did Mr. Belton propose?" "Broad-axes!" said Wiggins. "What did you say, Mr. Wiggins? I did not distinctly hear you." "Broad-axes! Mr. Botts, I say broad-axes!" "What?" exclaimed Mr. Botts, rising from his seat. "Broad-axes!" said Wiggins, also rising and moving nearer to Botts. "Broad-axes, I say broad-axes!"