But it could not have been a minute, though in my excitement it seemed to be so long, and he had to make his plans. Then he spoke in a quiet, firm way.
“Now, Dale,” he said, “it is our duty, and we must fight. Forget that you are a boy, and act like a man. Got your revolver?”
“Yes.”
“Charged?”
“Yes.”
I’m afraid my voice sounded very husky in my excitement, and my heart went in leaps and bounds. Frightened? Yes, I was: horribly; and if under similar circumstances any boy or man tells you he was not, don’t believe him. I wouldn’t. I know I was all of a tremble, but I never felt for a moment that I was going to shrink as I listened to Mr Frewen giving Mr Preddle instructions about the revolver.
“No, no,” I heard him say, “don’t stop to re-charge. If it will not go off, use it as a club.” Then he gripped me by the hand.
“Ready?” he whispered.
“Yes.”
“Then keep close to me, and come on.”