ISSUE JOINED There were dragoon revolvers in the holsters at Woodhull's saddle.

He made a rush for a weapon--indeed, the crack of the blow had been so sharp that the nearest men thought a shot had been fired--but swift as was his leap, it was not swift enough.

The long, lean hand of the bearded Missourian gripped his wrist even as he caught at a pistol grip.
He turned a livid face to gaze into a cold and small blue eye.
"No, ye don't, Sam!" said the other, who was first of those who came up running.
Even as a lank woman stooped to raise the head of Molly Wingate the sinewy arm back of the hand whirled Woodhull around so that he faced Banion, who had not made a move.
"Will ain't got no weapon, an' ye know it," went on the same cool voice.
"What ye mean--a murder, besides that ?" He nodded toward the girl.

By now the crowd surged between the two men, voices rose.
"He struck me!" broke out Woodhull.

"Let me go! He struck me!" "I know he did," said the intervener.