[r9etb]

I suspect Mr. Towe had the pistol in plain view with the (fatal) idea that it would intimidate Mr. Duncan. Mr. Duncan was clearly not intimidated, but instead decided to bring a gun to a gunfight.

[Lion Den Dan]

As you say, the guy was not intimidated. Trow did not brandish his pistol by having it in plain sight but when the other lad brandished his and shot it off, Trowe should have been running away or shooting the skunk.