Although he had little hate in his composition he could not forget that this man De Courcelles had been a party to an infamous attempt upon his life, and even now, in what amounted to a duel, was seeking to kill him.

His own impulses, under such a spur, and for the moment, were those of the slayer.

He used all the skill that he had learned in the forest to secure an opportunity for the taking of his foe's life.
Robert sought to draw De Courcelles' fire again, meanwhile having reloaded his own rifle, and he raised his cap a little above the edge of the stump.

But the trick was too old for the Frenchman and he did not yield to it.

Taking the chance, he thrust up his face, dropping back immediately as De Courcelles' bullet sang over his head.