"And this poor fellow," thought I, "was the only son of a widowed mother." I walked from the spot to avoid hearing further, and felt, as I did so, something like a spirit of vengeance rising within me, for the fate of one so untimely cut off.
"Here we are, all ready," said Malowney, springing over a small fence into the adjoining field. "Take your ground, gentlemen."
Considine took my arm and walked forward. "Charley," said he, "I am to give the signal; I'll drop my glove when you are to fire, but don't look at me at all. I'll manage to catch Bodkin's eye; and do you watch him steadily, and fire when he does."
"I think that the ground we are leaving behind us is rather better," said some one.
"So it is," said Bodkin; "but it might be troublesome to carry the young gentleman down that way,--here all is fair and easy."
The next instant we were placed; and I well remember the first thought that struck me was, that there could be no chance of either of us escaping.
"Now then," said the count, "I'll walk twelve paces, turn and drop this glove; at which signal you fire, and _together_ mind. The man who reserves his shot falls by my hand." This very summary denunciation seemed to meet general approbation, and the count strutted forth. Notwithstanding the advice of my friend, I could not help turning my eyes from Bodkin to watch the retiring figure of the count. At length he stopped; a second or two elapsed; he wheeled rapidly round, and let fall the glove. My eye glanced towards my opponent; I raised my pistol and fired. My hat turned half round upon my head, and Bodkin fell motionless to the earth. I saw the people around me rush forward; I caught two or three glances thrown at me with an expression of revengeful passion; I felt some one grasp me round the waist, and hurry me from the spot; and it was at least ten minutes after, as we were skimming the surface of the broad Shannon, before I could well collect my scattered faculties to remember all that was passing, as Considine, pointing to the two bullet-holes in my hat, remarked, "Sharp practice, Charley; it was the overcharge saved you."
"Not quite, I believe, but as good. You took him just above the hip."
"Can he recover?" said I, with a voice tremulous from agitation, which I vainly endeavored to conceal from my companion.