"
"He won't hit me," said Chester. "Don't you worry about that. Revolvers
at ten paces, or there will be no fight."
The French officer who had volunteered to act as the other's
second bowed.
"It shall be as _monsieur_ desires," he said.
The revolvers of the others, which had covered Hal, were now lowered, and
the lad was allowed to pick up his weapons. He approached Chester.
"Are you sure you can get him?" he asked.
"Dead certain," replied Chester. "Look at him now. See how he's shaking.
It's the ten paces that did that. He knows I can't possibly miss him at
that distance, and he is consequently nervous for fear his first shot
may go wild."
There was truth in the lad's words. Chester's antagonist was plainly
nervous, and he and his second talked together in low tones. Finally the
second came over to Hal.
"My friend," he said, "wishing to spare your friend's life, is willing to
accept his apology."
"There'll be no apology," growled Chester, who had overheard this remark.
"But the ten paces, _monsieur_," protested the Frenchman.
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