"What!" said he, "Alick, not gone yet?
This won't do. When you determine, act quickly; somebody may get in
before you. And remember, Alick, you are going to a new country--and a
country, too, where men fight. You will find a different people from
those you have grown among, and you must study their natures, and
accommodate yourself to them. If you go to Louisiana, you will find
nearly all the people French; they are high-minded, and fight at the
drop of a hat; and now let me tell you, it is always best to avoid a
fight; but sometimes it can't be done, and then a man must stand up to
it like a man. But let me tell you, Alick, there are not half the men
who want to fight that pretend to; you can tell this by their
blustering. Now, when you find one of these, and they are mighty
common, just stand right up to him, and always appear to get madder
than he does--look him right in the eye all the time; but remember to
keep cool, for sometimes a blusterer will fight; so keep cool, and be
ready for anything. But, Alick, the best way of all is to fight the
first man that offers, and do it in such a way as to let everybody
know you will fight, and you will not be much bothered after that.
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