There had been many brawls at Benson's, and men who came thither sound and sober, had gone thence with ribs broken and eyes gouged out.

And squires, and farmers, and negroes, all participated in the sport.
There, then, stalked the tall young Colonel, plunged in dismal meditation.

There was no way out of his scrape, but the usual cruel one, which the laws of honour and the practice of the country ordered.

Goaded into fury by the impertinence of a boy, he had used insulting words.

The young man had asked for reparation.