"Joe, one of us has got to walk the plank. Here's luck!"
Allison's hand went out in a firm grip, smiling a little, too, as he answered:
"No, no; you're all right! You're sure."
"Here he is."
"Last man for Bones."
"Here he comes!"
The crowd massed at the critical point fell back, opening a lane to where Allison and Dudley waited, throwing back their shoulders a little, to meet the man who came straight to them, pale with the importance of the decision that had been given him. He reached Dudley, passed, and, seizing Allison by the shoulder, almost knocked him down by the force of his slap. Pandemonium broke loose:
"It's Allison!"
"No!"
"Yes."