Man is a natural gambler, and life is the biggest stake he can lay.

The greater the odds, the greater the thrill.

Why should I deny myself the joy of exciting Leach's soul to fever-pitch?
For that matter, I do him a kindness.

The greatness of sensation is mutual.

He is living more royally than any man for'ard, though he does not know it.
For he has what they have not--purpose, something to do and be done, an all-absorbing end to strive to attain, the desire to kill me, the hope that he may kill me.