"Do not so much as move, Master Wells, else I will send a bullet into your brain. Be careful not to take your hands from that piece of stamped paper, or I shall believe that you mean mischief!"
Sandy looked around quickly; only his eyes moved, for he must have understood that my comrade meant every word which had been spoken, and he saw Sidney standing with his rifle aimed and resting on the branch of the tree.
At such short range there could be no mistake as to the course of the bullet, and, realizing this, the officer's face grew white with fear, for of a verity he was standing very near to death at that moment.
"Would you resist me in the performance of my sworn duty?" he asked, his voice trembling and his teeth literally chattering with fear.
"That is what I count on doing. Neither Clare nor I will be taken to Hillsborough jail simply because we cannot pay the poll tax."
"Do you know that this is treason, now the warrants have been read?"
"I can well fancy that Lawyer Fanning will twist it in that way."
"Not only is it treason against the king, but you are laying yourself open to the penalties made and provided for resisting an officer of the colony."
"You cannot serve Tryon and the colony at the same time, Master Wells, and that you know right well. Does it so chance that you have any weapons about you?"
"I am armed, as you may well see."