About Five in the
Morning
But after Supper , according to Custom , she went up to have an Hours Chat with the young Lady , and among other Things , mention 'd the odd Letter Captain _ Ramkins _ had receiv 'd that Evening ; the Lady suspecting what the matter really was , gave the Landlady sufficient Intimation by the Consternation she was in , that she was not unacquainted with the Occasion of that Letter . In the mean time , my Brother was gone to consult with some of his Acquaintance how he should behave himself in this juncture : Some advis 'd him to neglect it as a sham Challenge , whereby some of his Acquaintance being merry dispos 'd had a mind to divert themselves ; others judg 'd it might be a Design to Assassinate him upon account of some old Grudge now worn out of his Memory ; in conclusion , 't was order 'd that he should present himself at the Place mention 'd in the Challenge , and in case it was a real Thing , and that he escap 'd with Life , a Horse should be ready to ride Post to _ Brest _ , whether he and his Recruits were order 'd to take Shipping . But that he might not Alarm his Lodgings , he spent the remainder of the Night in the Tavern with his Friends , a fitter Preparation than praying for the Work he was about . About Five in the Morning he set out towards the Place of Battle , half a dozen of his Acquaintance following him at a convenient distance , to wait for the Issue , and to see Justice done in case he was assaulted against the usual Method of Duelling . When he came to the Place apointed , he saw a young Gentleman walking and musing under a Hedge with his Arms a Kimbo , whom he rightly judg 'd to be his Man . When he came within Speech of him , the _ French _ Officer stop 'd and ask 'd him if his Name was not _ Ramkins _ , and whether he had not receiv 'd a Note the Evening before upon such an Occasion ? my Brother made no other Reply , but that he took himself to be the Person , and that he would indite an Answer with the Point of his Sword ; for though , said he , I am a Stranger both to you and the occasion of this Trouble you have given me , yet as I take you to be a Man of Honour , so I suppose you think your self injur 'd to that degree , that Satisfaction either can not or will not be given any other way , and therefore I am here ready to make up this mysterious Quarrel after the Method you have made choice of .