His brain did not work as rapidly as Indian Jake's.

His immediate sensation as he heard Indian Jake's voice was one of thankfulness that, after all, there was no stain of murder on his soul.

Even yet he had no doubt Indian Jake was wounded.
He had taken deadly aim, and he could not understand how any escape could have been possible.
"Drop that gun!" Indian Jake repeated.

"I won't count.

I'll shoot." Eli's brain at last grasped the situation.