"That's what I said. But then what could you expect from a man who had been an officer on the _Chesapeake_?" The allusion, of course, was to the capture of the American frigate _Chesapeake_ by the British frigate _Shannon_, which was almost the solitary instance of English naval success in the war, but for which Gardner was in no way responsible. "By gad, sir!" shouted Gardner, "if I play like a coward, you play like a booby! Your tactics are what one would naturally expect from a soldier whose chief exploit was in leading the flying troops from Bladensburg!" another American defeat and a disgraceful one at that, although Mason had there fought bravely until wounded. "You shall wipe out this insult, sir!" responded Mason, rising in his turn. "Yes," said the other, "in the only possible way." "Gentlemen! Gentlemen!" interrupted some of the others. "What's this?" exclaimed the colonel, leaving his table and approaching them. "Brawling in my house among my guests? I will have none of it!" "Sir," cried Gardner, "you are a soldier. You are all soldiers here; I alone am a sailor. This person called me a coward, taunted me with the loss of the _Chesapeake_. By heavens, he shall apologize!" "What?" said the colonel. "Did you make use of such intemperate language, Captain Mason?" "I did, sir," responded the other, coolly, "and I may add that he accused me of leading the retreat at Bladensburg, which is a damnable lie, sir! I challenge him instantly!" "He but anticipates my own desire," said Gardner. "You see, sir, the matter must be arranged. As the challenged party I name pistols, and if the time is agreeable I appoint this moment for the encounter. Major Fletcher will perhaps honor me by acting as my second." "And Captain Lee," said Mason, turning to one of the others, "will, I am sure, act for me." "Gentlemen," said the colonel, retiring with the seconds, "cannot this unhappy affair be arranged?" "It is impossible, sir," replied Lee and his son, who had consulted a moment or two with their respective principals. "There must be more behind this than appears." "That's as may be, colonel; there is enough on the surface, anyway; the two men have deliberately insulted each other, and the duel must go on," replied Captain Lee. "I entirely agree with Lee, father," assented Major Fletcher.