Suddenly his forward movement was arrested.
"I was afraid of that!" he said, with a rather piteous smile.

"It's my stomach, Solomon!" Mahaffy seized him by the shoulders with lean muscular hands.

"Pull!" cried the judge hoarsely.

But Mahaffy's vigorous efforts failed to move him.
"I guess you're stuck, Price!" "Get your wind, Solomon," urged the judge, "and then, if Hannibal will reach up and work about my middle with his knuckles while you pull, I may get through." But even this expedient failed.
"Do you reckon you can get me back?
I should not care to spend the night so!" said the judge.

He was purple and panting.
"Let's try you edgewise!" And Mahaffy pushed the judge into the jail again.
"No," said the judge, after another period of resolute effort on his part and on the part of Mahaffy.