- [first lines]
- Jonathan Banner: Dangers in the Northwest country came in a dozen ways - animal bite, then blood poisoning, rattle and dart of a snake, the silent hush of an Indian's arrow... It was late summer when Pierre Falcon and I were ordered to one of their trading posts in the Great Peninsula region.
- Montgomery Velvet: We have business together.
- Jonathan Banner: Business?
- Montgomery Velvet: Yes. Frankly, I regret it. You seem an agreeable enough fellow. Nothing personal, of course.
- Jonathan Banner: What is?
- Montgomery Velvet: I regret that I shall have to duel with you.
- Jonathan Banner: What! Duel with me over what?
- Montgomery Velvet: For me, it's always open season on country-style heroes. I hope you play your part like a man.
- Jonathan Banner: Mr. Velvet, I don't kill for sport.
- [last lines]
- Jonathan Banner: We buried Montgomery Velvet and started back to Gannon. Sometimes I wonder if the killing will ever stop for men should not kill each other; we should wait for God to take them.