"It would be interesting to know what you propose doing." The stranger sat down on the slope, picked a strip of sea-weed off his breeches, and looked up with a smile.
"I reckon you'll think it odd."
"Of that I haven't a doubt."
"Well, you've a pair o' pistols i' your pockets, an' they're loaded, I expect."
"They are."
"I'd a notion of askin' 'ee, as a favour, to give and take a shot with me."
The stranger paused a minute before giving his answer.
"Can you fire a pistol?"
"I've let off a blunderbust, afore now, an' I suppose 'tis the same trick."
"And has it struck you that your body may be hard to dispose of?
Or that, if found, it may cause me some inconvenience?"