"What should there be written upon your face?"
"What? What? Fools and children ask them questions."
"I will ask you none; but as a Christian, as my countryman, I beseech you"——
"Christian!" interrupted he, with a hollow laugh. "Countryman!" He struck the but of his rifle hard upon the ground. "That is my countryman—my only friend!" he continued, as he examined the flint and lock of his weapon. "That releases from all troubles; that's a true friend. Pooh! perhaps it'll release you too—put you to rest."
These last words were uttered aside, and musingly.
"Put him to rest, as well as—— Pooh! One more or less—Perhaps it would drive away that cursed spectre."
All this seemed to be spoken to his rifle.
"Will you swear not to betray me?" cried he to me. "Else, one touch"——
As he spoke, he brought the gun to his shoulder, the muzzle pointed full at my breast.