“How much longer can you stand it, Choc?” asks Bill Buck, with a significant intonation of voice. “Most done, ain’t ye?”
“Done!” scornfully exclaimed the suspended hunter. “I could stand it three times as long, if needed. I suppose you’re satisfied I’ve won?”
“A hundred dollars against my own rifle you don’t hang five minutes more.”
This comes from Brandon.
“I’ll take the bet,” is the rejoinder.
“Since you’re so confident, then, you’ll have to win or be hanged.”
“What do you mean by that? What are you doing behind me?” asked the young hunter.
These questions are put under a suspicion that some trick is being played. He hears a whispering behind him, and a rustling of leaves overhead.
“Only taking the precaution that you don’t hurt yourself by the fall,” is the answer given to the last.
It is followed by a peal of loud laughter, in which all six take part.