He knew then that he had been proved.
With equal joy he looked upon the face of Curly, frowning underneath the pushed-back hat, and upon that of Battersleigh, keen-looking, eager, as though about to witness some pleasurable, exciting thing.
Yet he knew the men in front were as brave as they, and as desperately resolved.

In a moment, he reflected, the firing would begin.

He saw Curly's hands lying lightly upon the butts of his revolvers.

He saw Battersleigh draw his revolver and push with the side of the barrel against the nearest men as though to thrust them back.

He himself crowded to the fore, eager, expectant, prepared.