“I am glad you remember that, Issachar. Hold the horse, while I get off. Now throw the bridle over that branch, and I will sit down here. Come here into the moonlight, man; and look me in the face. Here is the pistol for you, if you bear me any revenge.”
Scarcely knowing what he did, because he had no time to think, Jupp obeyed Bull Garnetʼs orders even to the last—for he took the pistol in his hand, and tried to look straight at his adversary; but his eyes would not co–operate. Then he laid the pistol on the bank; but so that he could reach it.
“Issachar Jupp,” said Mr. Garnet, looking at him steadily, and speaking very quietly; “have you any children?”
“Only one—a leetle gal, but an oncommon good un.”
“How old is she?”
“Five year old, plase God, come next Valentineʼs Day.”
“Now, when she grows up, and is pure and good, would you like to have her heart broken?”
“Iʼd break any coveʼs head as doed it.”
“But supposing she were betrayed and ruined, made a plaything, and then thrown away—what would you do then?”
“God Almighty knows, man. I canʼt abide to think of it.”