More than that, I'll show you how ONE man can do it; for, by the living G-d, if you don't hand over that paper I'll kill you where you sit! I'll give you until I count ten; if one of you moves he and you are dead men--but YOU first!" Before he had finished speaking Hale and Rawlins had both risen, as if in concert, with their weapons drawn.

Hale could not tell how or why he had done so, but he was equally conscious, without knowing why, of fixing his eye on one of the other party, and that he should, in the event of an affray, try to kill him.

He did not attempt to reason; he only knew that he should do his best to kill that man and perhaps others.
"One," said Clinch, lifting his derringer, "two--three--" "Look here, Colonel--I swear I didn't know it was you.

Come--d--m it! I say--see here," stammered Stanner, with white cheeks, not daring to glance for aid to his stupefied party.
"Four--five--six--" "Wait! Here!" He produced the paper and threw it on the floor.
"Pick it up and hand it to me.

Seven--eight--" Stanner hastily scrambled to his feet, picked up the paper, and handed it to the Colonel.