'
'Mr. Drummond,' replied Harland, 'this would be absurd. The thing
will be all over in three minutes.'
'But it would keep me warm going home.'
'For only three minutes longer, however,' Harland again replied,
addressing the second. 'Besides,' he added, 'it might be'--and here
stopped short with the manifest intention of torturing the cowardly
wretch. It was noticed by Roland that Ham was constantly casting his
eyes up the hollow, as if expecting somebody. At last a thought
flashed upon him.
'Mr. Harland, I believe that craven has notified the officers of
justice, and that he expects them to come and break up the affair.
Let us therefore proceed. He may keep on the remainder of his wraps.
No delay; measure off the ground.' The two seconds then measured off
fifteen paces, and stopped.
'Not such a short distance as that!' shrieked Mr. Ham.
'Why, I thought your friend never fired except with a shot-gun at
crows?' Harland observed. 'But it appears that he is a crack shot.
And so generous, too; since the greater distance is intended no doubt
for the safety of Mr. Gray.' This was said in a tone just loud enough
to be heard by all the rest.
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