"By this light, one step in advance and you die!"

Carlton was in earnest, and Petro could read the determination of
his spirit flashing from his eye, and he quailed before it. He felt
that he was in the wrong; that the manly interference of Carlton had
right to back it; and this consciousness, while it unnerved his own
arm, nerved that of the artist's. Carlton paused for a moment, as if
to consider what to do; he was amazed and confounded, and his arm
sunk by his side.

Petro and his uncle drawing together, exchanged a few hasty words,
while Carlton stood there mute, as though struck dumb.

"We are two to one," whispered Petro, "let us upon him."

"Nay, he has a pistol; we have only our swords."

All this passed in one instant of time; but the next chapter must
describe the close, of the scene which had assumed so tragic a
character and such a fearful aspect.






CHAPTER XIV.

THE FINALE.