BAFFLED A ROBBER Fairfax paused at Andy's threat.

He was only a boy, it is true, but he looked cool and resolute, and the gun, which was pointed at him, looked positively dangerous.

But was he to be thwarted in the very moment of his triumph, by a boy?
He could not endure it.
"Young man," he said, "this is dangerous business for you.

If you don't make yourself scarce, you won't be likely to return at all." "I'll take the risk," said Andy, coolly.
"Confound him! I thought he'd be frightened," said Fairfax to himself.
"I don't want to kill you," he said, with a further attempt to intimidate Andy.
"I don't mean to let you," said our hero, quietly.
"You are no match for me." "With a gun I am." "I don't believe it is loaded." "If you try to pick up that pistol, I'll convince you; by the powers, I will," said Andy, energetically.
"What is to prevent my taking away the gun from you ?" "Faith," returned Andy, quaintly, "you'll take the powder and ball first, I'm thinkin'." Fairfax thought so, too, and that was one reason why he concluded not to try it.
It was certainly a provoking position for him.
There lay the pistol on the ground, just at his feet; yet, if he tried to pick it up, the boy would put a bullet through him.

It was furthermore provoking to reflect that, had he not stopped to parley with Colonel Preston, he might have secured the money, which he so much desired, before Andy had come up.