Keith's investigations1 proceeded until at last he felt justified2 in preferring before the Bar Association charges of irregular practice against James Ware3, Bernard Black, and--to his great regret--Calhoun Bennett. He conceived he had enough evidence to convict these men legally, but he as yet shrank from asking for an indictment4 against them, preferring at first to try for their discipline before their fellow lawyers. If the Bar Association failed, however, he had every intention of pressing the matter in the courts.
Almost immediately after the filing of the complaint he was waited on in his office by a man only slightly known to him, Major Marmaduke Miles. The major's occupation in life was obscure. He was a red-faced, tightly buttoned, full-jowled, choleric5 Southerner of the ultra-punctilious brand, always well dressed in quaint6 and rather old-fashioned garments, with charming manners, and the reminiscence of good looks lost in a florid and apoplectic7 habit. This person entered Keith's office, greeted him formally, declined a chair. Standing8 very erect9 before Keith's desk, his beaver10 hat poised11 on his left forearm, he said:
"I am requested, suh, to enquiah of yo' the name of a friend with whom I can confer."
"If that means a challenge, Major, I must first ask the name of your principal," returned Keith.
"I am actin' fo' Mr. Calhoun Bennett, suh," stated the major.
"Tell Cal Bennett I will not fight him," said Keith quietly.
The major was plainly flabbergasted, and for a moment puffed12 his red cheeks in and out rapidly.
"You mean to tell me, suh, that yo' refuse the satisfaction due a gentleman after affrontin' him?"
"I won't fight Cal Bennett," repeated Keith patiently.
The major turned even redder, and swelled13 so visibly that Keith, in spite of his sad realization14 of the gravity of the affair, caught himself guiltily in a boyish anticipation15 that some of the major's strained buttons would pop.
"I shall so repo't to my principal, suh. But I may add, suh, that in my opinion, suh, yo' are conductin' yo'self in a manner unbecomin' to a gentleman; and othuh gentlemen will say so, suh! They may go even farthah and stigmatize16 yo' conduct as cowardly, suh! And it might even be that I, suh, would agree with that expression, suh!"
The major glowered18. Keith smiled wearily. It did not to him at the moment that this would be so great a calamity19.
"I am sorry to have forfeited20 your good opinion, Major," he contented21 himself with saying.
The major marched straight back to the Monumental, where Bennett and a number of friends were awaiting the result of his mission. The major's angry passions had been rising, every foot of the way.
"He won't fight, suh!" he bellowed23, slamming his cane24 across the table. "He won't fight! And I stigmatized25 him to his face as a white-livered hound!"
Calhoun Bennett sank back pale, and speechless. His companions deluged26 him with advice.
"Horsewhip the craven publicly." "Warn him to go heeled, and then force the issue!" "Shoot him down like the dog he is!"
But the major's mighty27 bellow22 dominated everything.
"I claim the privilege!" he roared. "Egad, I _demand_ the privilege! It is my right! I am insulted by such a rebuff! Now that I have acquitted28 myself of Cal's errand, I will call him out myself. Ain't that right, Cal? I'll make the hound fight!"
The old major looked redder and fiercer than ever. There could be no doubt that he would make any one fight, once he started out to do so, and that he would carry the matter through. He was brave enough.
But little Jimmy Ware, who had been doing some thinking, here spoke29 up. It seemed to him a good chance to get a reputation without any risk. Since James King of William had uncompromisingly refused to fight duels30, his example had been followed. A strong party of those having conscientious31 scruples32 against the practice had come into being. Keith's refusal to fight Bennett, to Ware's mind, indicated that he belonged to this class. It looked safe.
"Pardon me, Major," he broke in suavely33; "but each in turn. I claim the right. Cal had first chance because he had personally warned the man of the consequences. But I am equally accused. You must admit my prior claim."
The major came off the boil. Puffing34 his red cheeks in and out he considered.
"Yo're right, suh," he conceded reluctantly.
After considerable persuasion35, and some flattery as to his familiarity with the niceties of the Code, the major consented to bear Jimmy's defiance36. He entered Keith's office again, stiffer than a ramrod. Keith smiled at him.
"There's no use, Major, I won't fight Cal Bennett," he greeted his visitor.
"I am the bearer of a challenge from Mistah James Ware," he announced.
"What!" yelled Keith, so suddenly and violently that Major Miles recoiled37 a step.
"From Mistah James Ware," he repeated.
"Oh, I'll fight him," he growled40; "gladly; any time he wants it."
The major's face lit up.
"If you'll name yo' friend, suh," he suggested.
"Friend? Friend? What for? I'm capable of arranging this. I haven't time to hunt up a friend."
"It's customary," objected the major.
"Look here," Keith swept on, "I'm the challenged party and I have the say- so, haven't I?"
"Yo' can name the weapons," conceded Major Marmaduke Miles.
"All right, we'll call this revolvers, navy revolvers--biggest there are, whatever that is. And close up. None of your half-mile shooting."
"Ten yards," suggested Major Miles with unholy joy.
"And right away--this afternoon," went on Keith. "If that little runt wants trouble, egad he's going to have all his little skin will hold."
But the major would not have this. It was not done. He waived41 conducting his negotiations42 through a second, but that was as far as his conventional soul would go. He held out for three o'clock the following afternoon.
"And I wish to apologize, Mistah Keith," he said, on parting, "fo' my ill- considered words of a short time ago. I misunderstood yo' reasons fo' refusin' to fight Mistah Bennett."
He bowed his rotund, tightly buttoned little figure and departed, to strike Jimmy Ware with complete consternation43.
Duels in the fifties were almost an acknowledged public institution. Although technically44 illegal, no one was ever convicted of any of the consequences of such encounters. They were conducted quite openly. Indeed, some of the more famous were actively45 advertised by steamboat men, who carried excursions to the field. Keith's acceptance of Ware's challenge aroused the keenest interest. Outside the prominence46 of the men involved, a vague feeling was current that in their persons were symbolized47 opposing forces in the city's growth. As yet these forces had not segregated48 to that point where champions were demanded, or indeed would be recognized as such, but vague feelings of antagonism49, of alignments50, were abroad. Those who later would constitute the Law and Order class generally sympathized with Ware; those whom history was to know as the Vigilantes felt stirrings of partisanship51 for Keith. Therefore, the following afternoon a small flotilla set sail for the Contra Costa shore, and a crowd of several hundred spectators disembarked at the chosen duelling ground.
Nan knew nothing of all this. Keith was now in such depths of low spirits that his wearied soul did not much care what became of him. He put his affairs in shape, shrugged52 his shoulders, and went to the encounter with absolute indifference53.
The preliminaries were soon over. Keith found himself facing Jimmy Ware at the distance he had himself chosen. A double line of spectators stood at a respectful space on either side. Major Miles and an acquaintance of Keith's who had volunteered to act for him were posted nearer at hand. Keith had listened attentively54 to the instructions. The word was to be given--_one, two, three. Fire!_ Between the first and last words the duellists were to discharge the first shot from their weapons. After that they were to fire at will. One shot would have sufficed Jimmy Ware; but Keith, without emotion, filed with a dead indifference to any possible danger and a savage38 contempt for the whole proceedings55, had insisted on the full measure. He was totally unaccustomed to weapons. At the word of command he raised the revolver and fired, carelessly but coolly, and without result. One after the other he discharged the six chambers56 of his weapon, aiming as well as he knew how. It did not occur to him that Ware was firing at him. After the sixth miss he threw the revolver away in cold disgust.
"This is a farce," said he, "and I'm not going to be fool enough to take part in it any longer."
Jimmy Ware, delighted at finding himself unharmed, and confident now that bluff57 would go, started to say something lofty and disdainful. Keith whirled back on him.
"If you want 'satisfaction,' as you call it, you'll get it, and you'll get it plenty! I'm sick of being made a fool of. Just open your ugly head to me again, and I'll knock it off your shoulders!" His eye smouldered dangerously, and Jimmy Ware, very uncertain in his mind, took refuge in a haughty58 look. Keith glared at him moment, then turned to the crowd: "I'll give all of you fair warning," said he. "I'm going to do my legal duty in all things; and I'm not going to fight duels. Anybody who interferes59 with me is going to get into trouble!"
An uproar60 ensued. All this was most irregular, unprecedented61, a disgrace to a gentlemen's meeting. The major roared like a bull. If a man would not fight, would not defend his actions, how could a gentleman get at him except by street brawling62 or assassination63, and both of these were repugnant to finer feelings. A dozen fire-eaters felt themselves personally insulted. The crowd surrounded Keith, shouting at him, jostling him, threatening. A cool, somewhat amused voice broke in.
"Gentlemen," said Talbot Ward17, in so decided64 a tone that they turned to hear. "I am a neutral non-partisan in this little war, I am for neither party, for neither opinion, in the matter. I, like Mr, Keith, never fight duels. But may I suggest--merely in the interest of fair play--that for the moment you are forgetting yourselves? My opinion coincides with Mr. Keith's that duelling is a foolish sort of game, but it is a game, and recognized; and if you are going to play it, why not stick to its rules? Mr. Keith, and Mr. Ware have exchanged shots. Mr. Ware has therefore had 'satisfaction.' Now Mr. Keith and I going to walk--quietly--to the boat. We do not expect to be molested65."
"By God, Tal!" cried Major Miles in astonishment66, "ye' don't mean to tell me yo're linin' yourself up on the side of that blackleg!"
"Well," put in a new voice, a very cheerful voice, "I don't pretend to be neutral, and I'd just as lief fight duels as not, and I'm willing to state to you all that though I don't know a damn thing about this case nor its merits, I like this man's style. And I'm ready to state that I'll take his place and fight any--or all of you--right here and now. You, Major?"
All eyes turned to him. He was a dark, eager youth, standing with his slouch hat in his hand, his head thrown back, his mop of shiny black hair tossed from his forehead, his eyes glowing. The major hummed and fussed.
"I have absolutely no quarrel with you, suh!" he said.
"Nor with my friend yonder?" insisted the newcomer.
"I should esteem67 it beneath my dignity to fight with a craven and a coward, suh!" the major saved his face.
The stranger glanced at Keith, an amused light in his eyes.
"We'll let it go at that," he conceded. "Anybody else?" he challenged, eying them.
Every one seemed busy getting ready to go home, and appeared not to hear him. After a moment he put on his felt hat and joined Keith and Ward, who were walking slowly toward the landing.
"Well," remarked a rough-looking Yankee--our old friend Graves of the Eurekas to his friend Carter--"I didn't know anything would cool off the major like that!"
"I reckon the major knew who he was talking to," replied Carter.
"Who is the cuss? I never saw him before."
"Don't you know him? I reckon you must have heard of him, anyway. He's just down from the Sierra. That's the express rider, Johnny Fairfax--Diamond Jack68, they call him."
Graves whistled an enlightened whistle.
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investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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indictment
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| n.起诉；诉状 | |
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choleric
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| adj.易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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apoplectic
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| adj.中风的；愤怒的；n.中风患者 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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stigmatize
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| v.污蔑，玷污 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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glowered
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| v.怒视( glower的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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bellow
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| v.吼叫，怒吼；大声发出，大声喝道 | |
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bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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stigmatized
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| v.使受耻辱，指责，污辱( stigmatize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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deluged
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| v.使淹没( deluge的过去式和过去分词 )；淹没；被洪水般涌来的事物所淹没；穷于应付 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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duels
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| n.两男子的决斗( duel的名词复数 )；竞争，斗争 | |
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conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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suavely
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puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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waived
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| v.宣布放弃( waive的过去式和过去分词 )；搁置；推迟；放弃（权利、要求等） | |
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negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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technically
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| adv.专门地，技术上地 | |
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actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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prominence
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| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
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symbolized
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| v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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segregated
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| 分开的； 被隔离的 | |
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antagonism
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| n.对抗，敌对，对立 | |
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alignments
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| 排成直线( alignment的名词复数 )； （国家、团体间的）结盟 | |
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Partisanship
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| n. 党派性, 党派偏见 | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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interferes
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| vi. 妨碍，冲突，干涉 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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unprecedented
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| adj.无前例的，新奇的 | |
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brawling
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| n.争吵，喧嚷 | |
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assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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molested
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| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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