"No, Solomon, you forget our pact."
"Well, I am glad you remembered it."
They finished supper, the dishes were cleared away and the
candles lighted, when the judge produced a mysterious
leather-covered case. This he placed upon the table and opened,
and Mahaffy and Hannibal, who had drawn near, saw with much
astonishment that it held a handsome pair of dueling pistols,
together with all their necessary paraphernalia.
"Where did you get 'em, Judge?--Oh, ain't they beautiful!" cried
Hannibal, circling about the table in his excitement.
"My dear lad, they were purchased only a few hours ago," said the
judge quietly, as he began to load them.
"For Heaven's sake, Price, do be careful!" warned Mahaffy, who
had a horror of pistols that extended to no other species of
firearm.
"I shall observe all proper caution, Solomon," the judge assured
him sweetly.
"Judge, may I try 'em some day?" asked Hannibal.
"Yes, my boy, that's part of a gentleman's education."
"Well, look out you don't shoot him before his education begins,"
snapped Mahaffy.
"Where did you buy 'em?" Hannibal was dodging about the judge,
the better to follow the operation of loading.
"At the gunsmith's, dear lad. It occurred to me that we required
small arms. If you'll stand quietly at my elbow and not hop
around, you'll relieve Mr. Mahaffy's apprehension."
"I declare, Price, you need a guardian, if ever a man did!" cried
Mahaffy, in a tone of utter exasperation.
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