Now, to discover but one man, and he peacefully sleeping, caused these warlike preparations to appear ridiculous, and called for a decided modification of Mr.Riley's plans.
Having satisfied himself by a careful survey that the man had no companions, and that the hut contained no rifles nor other fire-arms, the Sheriff retired noiselessly from the window and rejoined his followers.

He explained the situation in a whisper, and then proposed that as they could not fight a single unarmed man, they should paralyze him with terror.

As the Sheriff expressed it, they would "scare him stiff" by a general discharge of guns, a yell, and a rush for the door.
These were to follow a signal that he would give from his post at the open window, through which he would cover the sleeping man with his revolver.
The new programme being understood, the Sheriff returned to his station, pointed his pistol at Billy Brackett's head, and was about to order him to throw up his hands and surrender, when he made a slight movement that aroused Bim.

This faithful sentinel sprang up with a loud bark.

In the dim light Sheriff Riley had not noticed the dog, and he was so much upset by this unexpected challenge that his finger closed on the hair-trigger of his revolver.