Then with a roar I leapt forward, the stock of my fowling-piece swung high above my head.

And, as God lives, Kenneth, I had sent them straight to hell ere they could have raised a hand or made a cry to stay me.

But as I sprang my foot slipped in the blood of my beloved, and in my fall I came close to her where she lay.
The fowling-piece had escaped my grasp and crashed against the wall.
"I scarce knew what I did, but as I lay beside her it came to me that I did not wish to rise again--that already I had lived overlong.

It came to me that, seeing me fallen, haply those cowards would seize the chance to make an end of me as I lay.

I wished it so in that moment's frenzy, for I made no attempt to rise or to defend myself; instead I set my arms about my poor murdered love, and against her cold cheek I set my face that was well-nigh as cold.
"And thus I lay, nor did they keep me long.