And should Major Pendennis be disinclined to this alternative, the Captain hinted, that he would force him to accept by the use of a horsewhip, which he should employ upon the Major's person.

The precise terms of this letter we cannot give, for reasons which shall be specified presently; but it was, no doubt, couched in the Captain's finest style, and sealed elaborately with the great silver seal of the Costigans--the only bit of the family plate which the Captain possessed.
Garbetts was despatched then with this message and letter; and bidding Heaven bless 'um the General squeezed his ambassador's hand, and saw him depart.

Then he took down his venerable and murderous duelling-pistols, with flint locks, that had done the business of many a pretty fellow in Dublin: and having examined these, and seen that they were in a satisfactory condition, he brought from the drawer all Pen's letters and poems which he kept there, and which he always read before he permitted his Emily to enjoy their perusal.
In a score of minutes Garbetts came back with an anxious and crestfallen countenance.
"Ye've seen 'um ?" the Captain said.
"Why, yes," said Garbetts.
"And when is it for ?" asked Costigan, trying the lock of one of the ancient pistols, and bringing it to a level with his oi--as he called that bloodshot orb.
"When is what for ?" asked Mr.Garbetts.
"The meeting, my dear fellow ?" "You don't mean to say, you mean mortal combat, Captain," Garbetts said, aghast.
"What the devil else do I mean, Garbetts ?--I want to shoot that man that has trajuiced me honor, or meself dthrop a victim on the sod." "D---- if I carry challenges," Mr.Garbetts replied.

"I'm a family man, Captain, and will have nothing to do with pistols--take back your letter;" and, to the surprise and indignation of Captain Costigan, his emissary flung the letter down, with its great sprawling superscription and blotched seal.
"Ye don't mean to say ye saw 'um and didn't give 'um the letter ?" cried out the Captain in a fury.
"I saw him, but I could not have speech with him, Captain," said Mr.
Garbetts.
"And why the devil not ?" asked the other.
"There was one there I cared not to meet, nor would you," the tragedian answered in a sepulchral voice.

"The minion Tatham was there, Captain." "The cowardly scoundthrel!" roared Costigan.