“You don’t dare go through with it!” Dirk cried. “You’re trying to frighten me! Well, I won’t be fooled! I don’t believe you!”
“He don’t believe us!” jeered Brick. “We’ll have to show him. Get ready. Let him go, my lads!”
The two henchmen fell back. Dirk turned swiftly; but the point of the knife caught him in the side, and he recoiled to the treacherous edge of the embankment.
“So long, Baby! One jump, and it’s all over with you! Well, will you jump yourself, or will we have to heave you over?” Another prod of the blade accented his words.
Dirk swallowed heavily, and tears came into his shrouded eyes. “You’ll be sorry for this, Ryan, you mucker!” he shouted. His teeth were chattering, and a faint breeze fanned his brow where beads of cold sweat stood out. “You’re a coward——”
“That’s enough!” Ryan’s tone was ugly. “Do I have to prod you again, or will you jump?”
Dirk took a deep gasp of air, and his muscles tensed.
“I’ll jump,” he said, and leaped blindly forward.
CHAPTER V
THE SINKING OF THE Sachem
He still lived!