"I won't. Give up that paper."
"Never. I'll die first."
And die I would. His earnestness convinced me of the letter's worth. If it contained that which could clear my father's name, only death would be the means of parting me from it.
"Give it up, I say! Do you think I'm to be defeated by a boy?"
"Stand back!"
I raised the pistol on a level with his head. As I did so, he made a dash forward and caught up a stick which was lying near.
"I'll fix you!" he roared, and swinging the billet over his head, he brought it down with all his force on my arm, causing the pistol to fly from my hand into a corner beyond.
"Now we'll see who's master here," he cried exultingly. "You're a smart boy, but you don't know everything!" Rushing over to the corner, he secured the pistol and aimed it at me. "Now, we'll settle this matter according to my notions," he went on triumphantly.