"Ye won't? The hell, ye won't? Look hyur, stranger! I'm in airnest. Look in my eye, an' see if I ain't! I gi' ye warnin' then, that ef ye're not out o' this clarin' in six jumps o' a squ'll, you'll niver go out o' it a livin' man. You see that ere stump? Its shadder's jest a creepin' up to the house: the minnit that shadder touches the wall, I'll shoot you down, as sure's my name's Hick Holt. Mind, I've gin ye warnin'!" "And I give you warning, Mr Holt, that I am prepared to defend myself; and if you miss--" "Miss!" ejaculated he with a contemptuous toss of the head--"miss, ye fool! thur's no fear o' that." "If you miss," continued I, without heeding the interruption, "I shall show you no mercy. If you are going to take the cowardly advantage of having the the first shot, I have my advantage too. In self-defence, I shall be justified in killing you; and if you fire at me, I shall certainly do so. Be warned! I never spare a coward." "Coward!" exclaimed the colossus, with an imprecation that was horrible to hear. "An' how ef I don't miss?" continued he, apparently calming his rage, and speaking with a significant sneer--intended to awe me, by insinuating the certainty of his aim. "How ef I don't miss, Mister Popgun?" "You may, for all that. Don't be too sure of hitting--I've been shot at before now." "You'll niver be shot at _arter_ now, 'ceptin' ye leave this clarin'. One crack from my gun'll be enuf for ye, I reck'n." "I'll take my chance. If it should go against me, _you_ won't gain by it. Remember, my good man, it's not a duel we're fighting! You have chosen to attack me; and if I should fall in the affair, I've faith enough in the law to believe it will avenge me." I fancied that my speech produced some effect upon the fellow; and, seeing that he remained silent, I followed up it by words of similar import: "If it be my fate to fall, I leave behind me friends who will inquire into my death. Trust me, they will do so! If I kill _you_, it will be but justifiable homicide, and will be so adjudged; while your killing me will be regarded in a different light: it will be pronounced _murder_!" I gave full emphasis to the last word. On hearing it my antagonist showed signs of emotion. I fancied I saw him tremble, and turn slightly pale! With an unsteady voice he replied: "Murder? No, no; I've gin ye warnin' to go. Ye've time enuf yet to save yerself. Git out o' the clarin', an' thur'll be no harm done ye!" "I shall not go out of the clearing, until you've acknowledged my claim." "Then you'll niver go out o' it alive--I swar by God! niver!" "You are determined, then, to be my _murderer_?"