A draught of that made Dick feel better immediately, and he thanked the woman in a way calculated to create a friendly feeling toward himself. He might need her service in some other direction.
In a little while Captain Joaquin entered.
Dick was feeling much better, and was sitting up when the outlaw made his appearance.
"Well, I have come to have that talk with you," he announced.
"Glad of it," said Dick, "I am lonesome."
"I have thought of a plan, and I am going to give you a chance for your life about as good as you gave me."
"Ah! that so?"
"You will admit that the chance you gave me was not a great big one, I suppose."
"It was just an even thing whether you killed me or I killed you, Captain Joaquin. I am willing to take the same chance again."
"But I am not. You have the reputation of being a dead-shot, Deadwood Dick, and you certainly felt confident of making cold meat of me when you offered me that generous chance for my life."