ing the autumn of 1863, of which Thomas Fitch was editor; and he of whom they were written was I. T. Goodman, editor of the Territorial Enterprise. Goodman's aticle which called out the mystic rejoinder was more slashing than sound; and when the writer first read the criticism he thought that Fitch, with a forgiving spirit, intended it as a compliment. The love of God was surely good, and so must be likewise his logic.
But the reporters, literary bummers, and wise men of Virginia city began to question among themselves what deep or dire significance lay wrapped in the words. Whose were they and what was their connection? Mark Twain thoug-ht the words were from Byron. Dan de Quille was sure he had seen them in Baxter's Saints Rest. The astute Goodman himself claimed them for Shakespeare. But finally a thinhaired rosy-visaged occupant of the bench beside the entrance to the Fashion saloon, who had once been whipped for running awa}^ from Sunday school, suggested the bible. After due search a copy of the book was found, and the passage brought to light, with its continuation—"in that it surpasseth human understanding." The astute Goodman's eyes were opened, and he immediately set about to mend his logic by sending Fitch a challenge to mortal combat.
The editors of Virsjinia were at that time, as a rule, pugilistic in their proclivities; what they lacked in logic they made up for in pistolings; hence most of them were already under bonds to keep the peace, and new indulgence must be sought beyond the limits of the territory. So the valley called Dry. over the Californian boundary, was chosen for the further interpretation of this scripture passage. Sophistical as Goodman was with the pen, he was no less illogical with the pistol. Ferrend, his second, recommended a few lessons, and two days before the appointed time the two went over into the valley to practise. A pine burr placed midway between Goodman and a
