"Why are we waiting, sir?" he demanded, his tone cold and formal.
"Something has occurred to detain Price," answered Mahaffy.
The colonel and Ware exchanged looks. Again they spoke together,
while Mahaffy watched the road. Ten minutes slipped by in this
manner, and once more Fentress addressed Mahaffy.
"Do you know what could have detained him?" he inquired, the
ghost of a smile curling his thin lips.
"I don't," said Mahaffy, and relapsed into a moody and anxious
silence. He held dueling in very proper abhorrence, and only his
feeling of intense but never-declared loyalty to his friend had
brought him there.
Another interval of waiting succeeded.
"I have about reached the end of my patience; I shall wait just
ten minutes longer," said Fentress, and drew out his watch.
"Something has happened--" began Mahaffy.
"I have kept my engagement; he should have kept his," Fentress
continued, addressing Ware. "I am sorry to have brought you here
for nothing, Tom."
"Wait!" said Mahaffy, planting himself squarely before Fentress.
"I consider this comic episode at an end," and Fentress pocketed
his watch.
"Scarcely!" rejoined Mahaffy. His long arm shot out and the open
palm of his hand descended on the colonel's face. "I am here for
my friend," he said grimly.
The colonel's face paled and colored by turns.
"Have you a weapon?" he asked, when he could command his voice.
Mahaffy exhibited the pistol he had carried to Belle Plain the
day before.
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