CHAPTER IV.
I am taught on a cold morning, before breakfast, how to stand fire, and thus prove my courage--After breakfast I also prove my gallantry--My proof meets reproof--Woman at the bottom of all mischief--By one I lose my liberty, and, by another, my money.
When I began to wake the next morning I could not think what it was that felt like a weight upon my chest, but as I roused and recalled my scattered thoughts, I remembered that in an hour or two it would be decided whether I were to exist another day.

I prayed fervently, and made a resolution in my own mind that I would not have the blood of another upon my conscience, and would fire my pistol up in the air.

And after I had made that resolution, I no longer felt the alarm which I did before.

Before I was dressed, the midshipman who had volunteered to be my second, came into my room, and informed me that the affair was to be decided in the garden behind the inn; that my adversary was a very good shot, and that I must expect to be winged if not drilled.
"And what is winged and drilled ?" inquired I."I have not only never fought a duel, but I have not even fired a pistol in my life." He explained what he meant, which was, that being winged implied being shot through the arm or leg, whereas being drilled was to be shot through the body.

"But," continued he, "is it possible that you have never fought a duel ?" "No," replied I; "I am not yet fifteen years old." "Not fifteen! why I thought you were eighteen at the least." (But I was very tall and stout for my age, and people generally thought me older than I actually was.) I dressed myself and followed my second into the garden, where I found all the midshipmen and some of the waiters of the inn.