He and Braxton Wyatt had been young boys together.

So, when he deflected the muzzle of his rifle, it was to turn the bullet from his heart to his arm.
The rifle flashed, the sharp report echoed over the flowing waters, and a cry of pain came from the pursuing boat, which quickly slackened its speed.
"I hit him in the arm only," said Henry.
Shif'less Sol glanced at his comrade and he understood, but he made no criticism.
"Ef you've stung him in the arm," he said, "it ain't likely that he kin use that rifle o' his ag'in, an' I notice, too, since you shot that them oarsmen ain't burnin' up with zeal.

Now you row, Henry, while I plunk a bullet in among 'em, an' they'll burn less than ever." Shif'less Sol fired.

He did not shoot to kill, but his bullet whistled unpleasantly near the heads of the rowers, and, as he had predicted, they rapidly lost zeal.

The captured boat slid swiftly ahead.
"Here we are among the trees," said Henry.