"This will do," said Dick. "I do not want to have too far to walk back to get the treasure. Here are your weapons," laying them on the ground as he spoke; "take them and back off the required distance, and we will begin to perforate each other. The man who strikes the ticker first, wins. Remember what I told you about the first shot."
"I'll try to make it unnecessary to fire more than one," said the outlaw, with a sardonic smile, as he picked up his weapons.
[CHAPTER VII.]
THE SECRET SHOT.
Deadwood Dick smiled too, in a grim fashion.
While fate might be against him, yet it was his intention to shoot Captain Joaquin so dead that he would never kick again.
It was a trying moment for both men.
With Dick it was like bantering Providence, while with the Red Rover it was a last desperate chance, like one in a thousand. With both it was a moment to test their nerves.
That neither was a coward needs no attesting.