"Watkins slowly and fearfully scrambled to his feet, and then, like a flash, vanished into the darkness.
"'Golly, Marse Dick,' exclaimed Moses in an awestruck voice, 'I thought you'd killed that gem'man, sho'!'
"'Back,' he shouted."
"'Give us a glass of brandy, Moses!' said his master, extinguishing the light. 'Where are they, Jack?'
"I raised the window and looked out. The sophomores were gathered in an excited group about Jim's victim, gazing at our window, and talking loudly among themselves. Randolph reloaded the pistol and stepped to the door.
"'Pleased to see you at any time, gentlemen,' he said. 'But just now I want to go to bed and don't like noise. Don't let me keep you. While I sometimes miss a single bird I'm not so bad at a covey. Now off with you!'
"Again he whipped up the pistol into position. It looked even more wicked in the starlight than it had done inside. With one accord the crowd broke and ran, Watkins well in the lead.
"Randolph came inside, lighted the lamp, and tossed off the brandy.