the murder in the old miscreant's eyes, and leaping forward seized the
weapon, wrenched it from her grasp, and flung it far into the bush.

'Touch him not, or your miserable life will be the forfeit.' She
made no reply, but simply scowled with the hatred of a fiend upon
him. Turning then she resumed her work of stirring the fruit in the
pot. At this moment Nancy, whose face was white with anxiety, made
her appearance.

'Fetch some water from the spring,' Roland said, 'I wish to attend
to his wound,' pointing to the prostrate Lifter.

'How has this happened?' Nancy enquired, in an anxious voice; though
she was thoroughly familiar with such scenes of violence.

'This old monster here was aiming a death-blow at my head, and he
warned me. This is her revenge; and she would have finished her work
upon him had I not interfered. Don't go for an instant, Nancy, till I
complete what I have to say, once for all: If this old woman,' and he
poked her hard upon the shoulder with the muzzle of his pistol, 'ever
makes an attempt upon my life again, I will shoot her like a mad dog,
even though every robber of the cave were standing by. I shall be
justified in doing this by every law. Killing is a game at which two
can play; and kill I will the next person, be that person man or
woman, who makes another attempt upon my life. Caution no one will
ever find me to give again. Now, murderous old she-wolf, you
understand me?' and as he concluded he gave her such a thrust with
his weapon that she fell across the fire. With a scream Silent Poll
arose and pulled the old woman off the burning sticks; but not before
the crone's gown and apron had taken fire.