Chapter 39: 391-398
Page 395
mephitic
of, relating to, or resembling mephitis : foul-smelling <mephitic vapors>
Tom
This is Thomas Jefferson. Dixon toasts "to the pursuit of Happiness" and a young man named Tom asks if can use that phrase some time, which Thomas Jefferson did in the Declaration of Independence. The passage continues to confirm that this is Jefferson by discussing his interest in surveying, which was a very real interest of Jefferson's.
Colonel Byrd
William, 1674-1744 GoogleBooks Google
Page 397
Quoiting
A game similar to horseshoes played with quoits (from the middle english coyte, flat stone) particular to the Northeast.
(source: thefreedictionary.com)
Is there a significance to the choice of quoiting over a pistol dual between Dixon and Fabian, which is independent of Dixon's religious pacifism?
Superficially, the game resembles the West Line: an invisible line defined by staked points along which objects (stones) fly. One could note the same, of course, about a duel -- so perhaps there is some other significance in the choice of quoit?
Ah, perhaps one point is that quoiting might be more 'civilized' a resolution since no one can be killed? MKOHUT 11:55, 16 September 2007 (PDT)
