"I'd just the one candle that was in my hand; but there was a
good light from the hall lamp through the open door. I put down
the candle and jumped for a hammer that I'd left on the mantel.
At the same moment he sprang at me. I saw the glint of a knife,
and I lashed at him with the hammer. I got him somewhere; for
the knife tinkled down on the floor. He dodged round the table
as quick as an eel, and a moment later he'd got his gun from
under his coat. I heard him cock it; but I had got hold of it
before he could fire. I had it by the barrel, and we wrestled
for it all ends up for a minute or more. It was death to the man
that lost his grip.
"He never lost his grip; but he got it butt downward for a moment
too long. Maybe it was I that pulled the trigger. Maybe we just
jolted it off between us. Anyhow, he got both barrels in the
face, and there I was, staring down at all that was left of Ted
Baldwin. I'd recognized him in the township, and again when he
sprang for me; but his own mother wouldn't recognize him as I saw
him then. I'm used to rough work; but I fairly turned sick at
the sight of him.
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