If they sent word that they would not give up Pierre it was war, and war with McGurk had only one ending.

If they sent word that Pierre was surrendered the shame would never leave Boone and his men.
Whatever they did there was ruin for them in the end.

All this Pierre conned slowly in his mind, until he was cold.

Then he looked up and saw that the lamp had burned out and that the wood in the fireplace was consumed to a few red embers.
He replenished the fire, and when the yellow flames began to mount he made his resolution and walked slowly up and down the floor with it.
For he knew that he must go to meet McGurk.
The very thought of the man sent the old chill through his blood, yet he must go and face him and end the thing.
It came over him with a pang that he was very young; that life was barely a taste in his mouth, whether bitter or sweet he could not tell.

He picked a flaming stick from the fire and went before a little round mirror on the wall.
Back at him stared the face of a boy.