But Eli could wait.

Besides, he was hungry, and that was his venison, so he felt entitled to some of it.
While they ate the two men occasionally joked the boy in their rough way.

But Eli only grinned, knowing that his time had almost come.
"Now git a hustle on and clar up the muss, younker!" said Stackpole, as he lighted his pipe.
Eli coolly snatched up the little Marlin repeater.

He heard the angry cries of the men as they reached for their own guns.
Then Eli laughed.
"The joke is on you, Stackpole.

Couldn't shoot them guns in a week, for I doctored 'em all right.