To Trent, who had known him for years as a broken-down hanger-on of the settlement at Buckomari, a drunkard, gambler, a creature to all appearance hopelessly gone under, this look and this almost passionate appeal were like a revelation.

He stretched out his great hand and patted his companion on the back--a proceeding which obviously caused him much discomfort.
"Bravo, old cockie!" he said.

"Didn't imagine you'd got the grit.

You know I'm not the chap to be let down easy.

We'll go through with it, then, and take all chances! It's my game right along.