He was free--his, at least, was not the shortest; and there was now another chance against my escape.
I summoned up all my strength, and passed the lots to Augustus.

He also drew immediately, and he also was free; and now, whether I should live or die, the chances were no more than precisely even.

At this moment all the fierceness of the tiger possessed my bosom, and I felt toward my poor fellow-creature, Parker, the most intense, the most diabolical hatred.

But the feeling did not last; and, at length, with a convulsive shudder and closed eyes, I held out the two remaining splinters toward him.

It was fully five minutes before he could summon resolution to draw, during which period of heartrending suspense I never once opened my eyes.