'
'She may thank the fiend who presides over her destiny that she came
off so easily,' Roland replied with the most consummate coolness.
'But the fact remains,' sneered the chief, 'that while you are
afraid to face men, you wreak your vengeance upon an old woman.'
'If you were not what you are, a despicable villain, I should open
this discussion by saying that you are a liar. I will merely say
that, at all events, I am not afraid to meet you now or any other
time, here or any other where.'
The effects of this daring speech was much the same as if a
thunderbolt had fallen out of the heavens among the party. As Roland
concluded he rose from the table and placed his back against the bluff
face of the boulder. The chief did not reply or make any demonstration
of violence as they all evidently imagined that he would. Murfrey
looked meaningly at his captain; and then rushing from the table,
approached our hero. He had his hand in his hip pocket, and there was
a gleam of brutal ferocity in his face. Roland immediately drew his
pistol.
'Ruffian,' he cried, 'I am always prepared. If you make one step
further you fall where you stand.
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