The person called to, came up; and, immediately after, through my eyelashes, I beheld the diabolical white face of Daunton. It was so dark, that, to recognise me, he was obliged to place his countenance so close to mine that his hot breath burned against my cheek. He was in a passion of terror, and trembled as if in an access of ague. "It is," said he, whilst his teeth chattered. "Is he stunned?" "Mister, now I take that as an insult. D'ye think that John Gowles need strike such a strip of a thing as that ere twice?" "Hush!--How very, very cold it is! Where is your knife? Will you do it?" "Most sartainly not. There--he's at your mercy--I never committed murder yet--no, no, must think of my precious soul. A bargain's a bargain--my part on't is done." "Gowles, don't talk so loud. I can't bear the sight of blood--and, oh God!--of this blood--it would spurt upon my hand. Strike him again over the head--he breathes heavily--strike him!" "No," said the confederate, sullenly. "Tell ye--u'll have neither 'art nor part in this 'ere murder." During this very interesting conference, I was rallying all my energies for one desperate effort, intending, however, to wait for the uplifted knife, to grasp it, in order that I might turn the weapon against the breast of one assassin, and then use it as a defence against the other. "Would to God," said the villain, adding blasphemy to concerted murder--"would to God that my hand was spared this task! Give me the knife now. Where shall I strike him?--I have no strength to drive it into him far." "Tell ye, Mister, u'll have nought to do with the murder--but u'd advise thee to bare his neck, and thrust in the point just under his right ear." "Hush! Will it bleed much?" "Damnably!" "Horrible!--horrible! Do you think the story about Cain and Abel is true?" "As God is in heaven!" "Can't it be done without blood?" "I'll have nothing to do with the murder. But, Mister, if so be as you are so craven-hearted, take your small popper, and send a ball right into his heart. It is a gentleman's death, and will make the prettiest small hole imaginable, and bleed none to signify. But, mind ye, this 'ere murder's all your own." At this critical moment, as I was inhaling a strong breath, in order to invigorate my frame for instant exertion, I heard two or three voices in the distance carolling out, in a sort of disjointed chorus-- "Many droll sights I've seen, But I wish the wars were over."