Jonathan saw that the gun looked almost identical to a Type 54 but could only hold two bullets at a time, hence called a pistol.
Though he hadn't used it before, it didn't stump Jonathan. He quickly cocked it and handed it to Daniel.
Daniel took it, and Jonathan guided him. Daniel soon learned.
Henry said, "Tonight, they outnumber us. The machetes you brought are useless; you'll be minced before you can swing.
I just ask, if you have this pistol, will you dare to shoot?"
Brandon stayed silent, his heart pounding. He didn't want to risk his life or take another's.
Jonathan retorted, "Why wouldn't I?"
Daniel said, "Better to take a life than lose ours!"
Henry handed another pistol to Jonathan and split the extra bullets among them, "Our only chance is to catch them off guard, control the scene immediately.
Otherwise, just us few, we're not even enough to fill their teeth!"
Brandon asked in shock, "Where did you get these?"
Jonathan and Daniel were curious too.
Henry said, "One is Henry's and one is Zack's. Charles surely has one too."
Brandon, Jonathan, and Daniel had heard that Henry and Zack each had a pistol, and Charles had one. They didn't expect Henry to have both now.
Jonathan and Daniel were thrilled. They loved the pistols and felt they had chosen the right leader in Henry.
Brandon, however, felt his scalp tingle.
He knew Henry was right. Once they met, they had to act first and kill Charles.
If they didn't, Charles's hundreds of men would not be easy to deal with.
Victory aside, tonight's fight was as Henry said: either kill or be killed, both outcomes Brandon feared.
But he couldn't say anything now.
They were only four, and Jonathan and Daniel had been persuaded by him to follow Henry.
Backing out now would make him another Justin.
Henry said, "We're few, so we must ambush. I'll hide in the kiln, Jonathan and Daniel on either side.
When we act, I'll go for Charles.
You two fire a shot in the air, then quickly reload.
Even if they know you have only four bullets, who wants to be the unlucky ones?
The gunfire will scare them.
If they hesitate, I'll have enough time to subdue Charles and take his gun.
If anyone resists, I'll kill them. You don't need to act unless to save your life. Avoid fatal shots if possible."
Jonathan and Daniel nodded, feeling both nervous and excited.
Excited to use a gun for the first time.
Nervous that a murder would ruin their lives.
Henry asked Brandon if there was only one road to the kiln.
Brandon confirmed.
Henry said, "Then hide at the narrow road entrance. When Charles's men appear, call me.
After that, no matter what happens, don't go to the kiln. Go home and wait."
Brandon realized Henry saw his fear and excluded him.
"Henry," Brandon said gloomily, "You don't consider me a brother!"