Think how he's rounded us up like a herd of cattle
and brought us down one by one."
"By getting each man alone and killing him from behind."
"From the front, Jack. No, he's fought square with each one. The
wounds of Black Gandil were all in front, and when McGurk and I meet
it's going to be face to face."
Her tone changed, softened: "But what of me, Pierre?"
"You have to leave this life. Go down to the city, Jack. Live like a
woman; marry some lucky fellow; be happy."
"Can you leave me so easily?"
"No, it's hard, devilish hard to part with a pal like you, Jack; but
all the rest of my life I've got hard things to face, partner."
"Partner!" she repeated with an indescribable emphasis. "Pierre, I
can't leave you."
"Why?"
"I'm afraid to go: Let me stay!"
He said gloomily: "No good will come of it."
"I'll never trouble you--never!"
"No, the bad luck comes on the people who are with me, but never on
me. It's struck them all down, one by one; your turn is next, Jack. If
I could leave the cross behind--"
He covered his face and groaned: "But I don't dare; I don't dare! I
have to face McGurk.
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