He held his Winchester and revolver and was ready to die in the defence of the idol of his heart.
"Have courage," he said; "all is not yet lost." The ledge on which they stood was so narrow that there was no room for two to walk beside each other.

Lifting the gentle form in one arm, he swung her over the abyss at his feet and placed her on the ledge in front of him.
The danger was at the rear, and that was the place for him.
"Now advance," he added; "we may find a better spot than this for defence." He feared that his pursuers might divide, and some of them start around the other way, so as to come upon him from the opposite side.

If that were done, he would be caught between two fires; and, since one of the party possessed a gun, the advantage would be preponderatingly against him.
There was subject, too, for perplexing thought in the situation.

He had no wish to shoot King Haffgo, and would not do it if any possible way of avoiding it should present itself.

He determined that he should be spared until the last one, when he could probably be handled, without resorting to the last extremity.
Then, too, he felt no doubt about the presence of the giant Ziffak.