They had sworn repeatedly to Bardlock and to the sheriff, and in the hearing of others, that they would "do" for the man who took their money from them and had them arrested.

The prosecuting attorney, quickly perceiving the value of this complication in holding back the mob that was already forming, called Homer from the crowd and made him get up on the fence and confess that his prisoners had escaped--at what time he did not know, probably toward the beginning of the storm, when it was noisiest.
"You see," cried the attorney, "there is nothing as yet of which we can accuse the Cross-Roads.

If our friend has been hurt, it is much more likely that these crooks did it.

They escaped in time to do it, and we all know they were laying for him.

You want to be mighty careful, fellow-citizens.