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The cruel game of which he was the puppet was now clear to Davis; three
times he had drunk of death, and he must look to drink of it seven times
more before he was despatched. He held up his hand.
'
Steady!' he cried; 'I'll take your sixty seconds.'
Good!' said Attwater.
'
The captain shut his eyes tight like a child: he held his hands up at
last with a tragic and ridiculous gesture.
'My God, for Christ's sake, look after my two kids,' he said; and then,
after a pause and a falter, 'for Christ's sake, Amen.'
And he opened his eyes and looked down the rifle with a quivering mouth.
'But don't keep fooling me long!' he pleaded.
'That's all your prayer?' asked Attwater, with a singular ring in his
voice.
'Guess so,' said Davis.
So?' said Attwater, resting the butt of his rifle on the ground, 'is
that done? Is your peace made with Heaven? Because it is with me. Go,
and sin no more, sinful father. And remember that whatever you do to
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