‘I like not the shedding of human blood when it can be avoided,’ he answered; ‘if, however, Jenkins, you order me to perpetrate this crime, although it is against my inclination, I will obey you: if I am permitted to use my own free will, I say I will not commit the crime. Will that answer suffice?’ ‘It will,’ said Jenkins; ‘but Joe, you will not refuse the thousand dollars?’ ‘I would not stain my hands with innocent blood for twenty times one thousand dollars, unless it was by your command,’ was the answer. ‘And Ben, what say you?’ ‘I am a robber, ready to defend myself and my comrades from an attack; but I am not a cold-blooded deliberate murderer;’ replied Ben. ‘Damnation!’ cried Blodget, fiercely; and he arose from his seat and hastily traversed the room. ‘Be patient,’ said Jenkins; ‘this matter will be arranged, quicker than you could possibly expect. You see, Blodget, although they are desperate men, they are not quite such atrocious monsters as they have been thought by many.’ ‘They are cowards if they shrink from the—’ Before he could finish the sentence, the thieves were all upon their feet, and by their menacing looks, threatened vengeance. ‘Hold!’ cried Blodget, and they all immediately resumed their seats, although it was very evident that the observations of Blodget had greatly enraged them, and there were many scowling brows, which convinced the villain that he had proceeded almost too far. ‘Blodget,’ continued Jenkins, after a pause; ‘you should be cautious in what you say, my men are not used to hearing such terms applied to them, nor do they merit it.’ If Jenkins thought he had a coward amongst his gang, he would hang him up to the first tree he came to. ‘I was wrong; I was wrong;’ hastily apologized Blodget; ‘and I hope they will pardon me.’ ‘That is enough,’ observed Jenkins; then turning again towards his men, he demanded— ‘And, so you all refuse to do this deed?’ ‘We do;’ was the answer from them all; ‘we shed not human blood only in our own defence.’ ‘One amongst ye shall do the deed, since I have promised this man, and will not recall my word;’ said Jenkins peremptorily. There was a discontented murmuring arose from among the thieves. ‘What means this murmuring?’ demanded Jenkins, and his eyes glanced fiercely upon them; ‘is there one among ye who would dare to disobey my commands?’ ‘I will answer for all my comrades, and say, no,’ said Ben; ‘but we would avoid an unnecessary deed of blood, and especially under the circumstances.’ ‘I have given my word, and it shall be kept;’ said Jenkins firmly; ‘you must cast lots!’ The thieves still looked dissatisfied at this determination, and glanced significantly at each other, but they did not say a word. They scowled upon Blodget, who, however, did not take much heed of them, certain as he was, that while the captain of the gang was on his side, he had nothing to fear from any act of violence they might otherwise contemplate towards him.