J. Allan Dunn

“ His blood was up and he had no compunctions about firing to kill at the men who, from sheer lust of gain, were willing to shoot the girl and himself in cold blood. He was equally determined that they should not lay a finger on the girl's inheritance as long as he could prevent it. He wondered, grimly, what Tuan Yuck had promised Hamaku and Tomi.
Leila Denman stirred as he crossed the room, opened her eyes and looked dazedly about her. As she caught sight of Chalmers, kneeling beside the window, rifle in hand, terror joined the nausea that swept over her. ”

“ A bullet came from the left, straight through outer wall and partition, humming between them where they stood.
“That's Tuan Yuck,” said Chalmers.
The girl neither blanched nor wavered, even when a second missile came from the opposite direction and the upper half of the window tinkled on the floor. They were surrounded. The shell of the portable house was powerless to protect them. With three rifles pumping their contents, the place would soon be like a sieve. It seemed a miracle to Chalmers that neither of them had been hit. The situation was desperate, almost hopeless. ”

“ The girl's voice rang out shrilly before Chalmers could formulate an answer.
“As you like.” Tuan Yuck's voice retained its even pitch. “Perhaps you'll think better of it presently. Bring up those dry palm-boughs, Tomi.”
THEY were going to bum them out. The house would flame like a torch.
“No you won't!” The new voice was hard and rough. It was Sayers, recovered from the blow on his thick skull, furious at his defeat and eager for revenge. “You can fill that young fool's carcass full of lead if you like and I'll help you. But I want the girl.” ”