about five to one
I had only a vague notion , too , as to its power , for though I had used it I had not handled it with my own fingers . But it was a chance , the only possible chance . It was a mighty risk , but against it was an absolute black certainty . If I used it the odds were , as I reckoned , about five to one in favour of my blowing myself into the tree-tops ; but if I did n't I should very likely be occupying a six-foot hole in the garden by the evening . That was the way I had to look at it . The prospect was pretty dark either way , but anyhow there was a chance , both for myself and for my country . The remembrance of little Scudder decided me .