There's only one thing to stop the old fool's jaw,
and you are not game to do it, Nosey; you never done a man yet, and
you are not game to do it now, and you'll be damned if you do it, and
the devil will have you, and you'll be hanged first maybe. And if
you don't do him you'll be lagged again for the sheep, and in my
opinion, Nosey, you are not game. Yes, by the powers, you are,
Nosey, damned if you ain't. Who's afeered? And you'll do it quick
--do it quick. Now or never's your time."
While talking thus to himself, Nosey was pacing to and fro, and he
glanced at the axe every time he passed the door. The weapon was
ready to his hand, and seemed to be inviting him to use it.
"Baldy is going to light his pipe, and while he is stooping to get a
firestick, I'll do him with the axe."
When Baldy turned towards the fire, Nosey grasped the axe and held it
behind him. He waited a moment, and then entered the hut; but Baldy
either heard his step, or had some suspicion of danger, for he looked
around before takingup a firestick. At that instant the blow,
intended for the back of the head, struck him on the jaw, and he fell
forward among the embers. For one brief moment of horror he must
have realised that he was being murdered, and then another blow
behind the head left him senseless.
Nosey dragged the body out of the fireplace into the middle of the
floor, intending, while he was doing a man, to do him well.
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