'Are you ready ?' he cried; 'fire!' "Both triggers were drawn at the same instant.

Both pistols were discharged.

Mine was negligently raised.

Such is the untoward chance that presides over human affairs; such is the malignant destiny by which my steps have ever been pursued.

The bullet whistled harmlessly by me,--levelled by an eye that never before failed, and with so small an interval between us.