The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 184: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE SHAM DUEL 167 the ground, load the pistols, and get over this business as soon as possible.”’ “ As soon as possible!’ vociferated Captain Tash, look- ing both amazed and indignant. ‘‘ You may as well tell me, when I have paid my money at the door of the theatre, that the performances are to be hurried over with the most in- decent haste, or that if I am sitting down to a good dinner, I must not detain the dishes above a minute. By all daggers and wounds! I, Rolando Tash, protest against such a doc- trine.”’ ‘Well, well, captain,’ not dispute.”’ “EKead! but I think that it is most likely we shall,” retorted the gallant officer. ‘‘ The fact is, I have not shot a man for the last six or seven years, and I think it 1s high time I should do so, just to keep my hand in.”’ “Be pleased to understand, Captain Tash,’’ said Mac- namara, with mingled hauteur and contempt, “‘ that I am no coward, but at the same time I am not to be bullied into a duel with any one.” ‘“ Bullied! ’’ roared Tash, his voice now sounding half- across the scene of action, and his countenance becoming as red as the comb of a turkey-cock, ‘“‘ what do you mean, sir? ”’ But here Horace at once interfered, peremptorily whisper- ing to the captain that if he did not command his temper the post of “‘ second” should be withdrawn from him, whereupon the gallant officer, though grumbling somewhat at what he called “‘ the liberty of the subject being inter- fered with, when merely seeking to blow another’s brains out,’ consented to proceed to the business of the meeting without further comment or noise. Meanwhile Doctor Copperas and Doctor Thurston had stepped up to each other, shaken hands, and exchanged their usual compliments in that fashion which constitutes the “ aside’ of the stage, namely, appearing to say some- thing which is not meant to be overheard, but in reality bawling it out loud enough to make every word audible to all present. “ My dear Doctor Copperas,” said Thurston, ‘‘ who would have thought of meeting you here this morning and under such circumstances? But I must say that in the midst of ) said Macnamara, “‘ you and I will CORNICLOOL <S) (GO) im