If it hadn't been for the broom handle--just the end of it stickin' up"-- he shrugged his gaunt shoulders as he stuffed the tobacco into the bowl of his pipe--"I'd been dead!" he finished tersely.
"You mean that Joe----" "Has sold himself to Culver Rann!" exclaimed MacDonald.

He sprang to his feet.

For the first time he showed excitement.

His eyes blazed with repressed rage.

A hand gripped the barrel of his rifle as if to crush it.
"He's sold himself to Culver Rann!" he repeated.