At every moment the temptation grew stronger.

Why should he wait until morning?
He had the money; it was only a matter of a few minutes' walk to the nearest saloon.

But he set his face against this desire; he had held out so long that it would be a pity to give in now; he was not so very hungry after all.

No, no; he would not give in, he was strong enough; as long as he used his will he need not succumb.
It was just a question of asserting his strength of mind, of calling up the better part of him.

Even better than eating would be the satisfaction of knowing that he had shown himself stronger than his lower animal appetite.