Presently one of the two lots was quickly drawn from my hand.
The decision was then over, yet I knew not whether it was for me or against me.

No one spoke, and still I dared not satisfy myself by looking at the splinter I held.

Peters at length took me by the hand, and I forced myself to look up, when I immediately saw by the countenance of Parker that I was safe, and that he it was who had been doomed to suffer.

Gasping for breath, I fell senseless to the deck.
I recovered from my swoon in time to behold the consummation of the tragedy in the death of him who had been chiefly instrumental in bringing it about.

He made no resistance whatever, and was stabbed in the back by Peters, when he fell instantly dead.