His pistol was in his hand, cocked and primed.

Quick as a flash, it was raised, not at the heart, but at the right arm of the insolent bully, whom he would bring to order.
So simultaneous was the discharge of both weapons, that but one report was heard.

But Carson's bullet entered upon its mission probably half a second before the ball of Shunan left the rifle.

Shunan's wrist was shattered, as the bullet struck it; and from the curvature of the arm the ball passed through a second time above the elbow.

The sudden shock caused the rifle to tilt a little upwards and thus saved the hero's life.