I knew that in another minute I should have to laugh.

If anything remained for me to do it must be done immediately.

Whipping my revolver from the holster, I held it close against the rascal's head, yelling: 'Give back the knife this minute, or I kill thee!' The man went limp.

The knife came back as quick as lightning.

I gave it to the muleteer, who blubbered praise to Allah and made off with it.