They've murdered men afore to-night, and they would just as lief slip up here and cut your wizen as they would ate a piece of macaroni.

Whisht now, and I'll give ye the partic'lars and inshtruct ye what to do.

It wouldn't be safe for ye to git up and go out, for they'll folly ye and garrote ye afore ye could raich a safe place.

I would stay here and watch with ye, but that I've overstayed me time alriddy, and I'll catch thunder whin I git back home, 'cause I can't make the boss belave the raison why I staid.

Here's a pistol," added the Irishman, shoving a five-shooter into the hand of the astonished lad, "and ivery barrel is loaded, and it niver misses fire, as the victims can tell ye as have been hit by the same.