He knew the inextinguishable hatred of King Haffgo for this white man, and no greater favor could be done the ruler than to slay him.
Sinking on one knee, he carefully brought his gun to a level.

The gleam of the moonlight on the barrel insured unerring aim.
But a moment before it was perfected, Ashman stepped forward and seized the hand of his adored one.

This caused such a change of the relative situation of the two that the weapon could not be fired without endangering the life of the maiden.
That would never do, and waiting a moment in the hope that another charge would take place, Burkhardt began stealthily moving to the right to secure the advantage.

A few steps up the slope were all that was required, when he again knelt on one knee and pointed his rifle at the unsuspicious American.
It was but an instant before that Ariel caught sight of the crouching figure and was transfixed with terror.

The moonlight enabled her to identify the person, who was aiming his gun either at her or her companion.
Before she could speak, and at the moment Ashman turned his head, a giant figure was seen to rise as if out of the very earth, directly behind the miscreant.