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Brand, Max, 1892-1944

"The Seventh Man"


"Vic, you shan't go. You shan't go. You've told me yourself that he's sure
death."
"God knows he is."
"You won't go, Vic?"
"But the others! Ronicky--Gus--"
She stammered in her fear.
"That's their lookout! They're three to one. Let them kill--"
"But they don't know him. They've never been close enough to see his face.
Besides, no three men I--he--for God's sake tell me what to do!"
"Stay here--if you love me. I won't let you go. I won't!"
"I got to warn them."
"You'll be killed!"
He tore away her hands.
"I got to warn them--but who'll I help? Them three against Dan? He saved
me--twice! But--I got. I got to go."
"If you fight for him first he'll only turn on you afterwards. Vic, stay
here."
"What good's my life? What good's it if I'm a yaller dog ag'in? I'm goin'
out--and be a man!"

Chapter XXII. The Fifth Man
The moment Vic Gregg stood in the open air, with the last appeal of Betty
ringing still at his ear, he felt a profound conviction that he was about
to die and he stood a moment breathing deeply, taking the faint alkali
scent of the dust and looking up to the stars.


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