But there was an alternative--an alternative in
which I was concerned; and first one and then the other looked at
me. It was a moment of peril, and I knew it. My stratagem might
react on myself, and the two, to put an end to their difficulty,
agree to put an end to me. But I faced them so coolly, and
showed so bold a front, and the ground where we stood was so
open, that the idea took no root. They fell to wrangling again
more viciously than before. One tapped his gun and the other his
pistols. The landlord scolded, the dumb man gurgled. At last
their difference ended as I had hoped it would.
'Very well then, we will both go back!' the innkeeper cried in a
rage. 'And Antoine must see him on. But the blame be on your
head. Do you give the lad your pistols.'
Clon took one pistol, and gave it to the shock-headed man.
'The other!' the innkeeper said impatiently.
But Clon shook his head with a grim smile, and pointed to the
arquebuss.
By a sudden movement, the landlord snatched the pistol, and
averted Clon's vengeance by placing both it and the gun in the
shock-headed man's hands.
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