"That's right, Jenkins, give it to him. He'll larn better than to fire at you agin," said Dingle, with an appearance of just indignation.
"Go in, long-legs, and hammer him," repeated the others.
"Yes! come out here and take it, you old coward, you!" shouted Jenkins, stepping around and rubbing his fore-arms as though he were rolling up his sleeves. "Come out here, I tell you!"
The men now pushed the trembling man from behind them, and retreated so as to leave the two in an open space and facing each other. The sentinel now put off all semblance of fear, and demanded in a gruff tone,
"Why, I want you to stand still while I hammer you half to death!"
"Hammer away, but if your head isn't cracked before five minutes, I'll stand treat, boys."
The astonishment shown by Jenkins at this unexpected change was ludicrous in the extreme. His hands suddenly unclinched, and he stammered out,
"What—what did you say?"
"Why, come on and fight," replied the sentinel, blustering as vigorously as did Jenkins at first.