The face of the ruffian, if we may so call the one in contradistinction
to the other, was black with fury; and Munro felt that his violation of
the flag of truce was not likely to have any good effect upon his
destiny. Hitherto, beyond the weapons of nature's furnishing, they had
been unarmed. The case was no longer so; for Dexter, having a momentary
use of his hand, provided himself with a huge dirk-knife, guarded by a
string which hung around his neck, and was usually worn in his bosom: a
sudden jerk threw it wide, and fixed the blade with a spring.
It was a perilous moment for the fallen man, for the glance of the
victor, apart from the action, indicated well the vindictive spirit
within him; and the landlord averted his eyes, though he did not speak,
and upraised his hands as if to ward off the blow. The friends of Munro
now hurried to his relief, but the stroke was already descending--when,
on a sudden, to the surprise of all, the look of Dexter was turned from
the foe beneath him, and fixed upon the hills in the distance--his blow
was arrested--his grasp relaxed--he released his enemy, and rose
sullenly to his feet, leaving his antagonist unharmed.
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