His first impulse was to spring upon the man and throttle him, but a moment's reflection determined him upon another course.

He let his oars drop into the water, and then took up the rifle, which he always carried at his side.

Raising it to his eye, he said: "Now, Number 'leven, come an' take my seat.

Ef ye make any fuss, I'll tip ye into the river, or blow yer brains out.

Any man that plays traitor with Jim Fenton, gits traitor's fare." Yates saw that he had made a fatal mistake, and that it was too late to correct it.