The men around broke into a guffaw.
Wickersham was more than angry; he was enraged.

He had heard a score of men call her by endearing names.

He had also seen some of them get the same return that he received; but none so vicious.

He sprang to his feet, his face flushed.

The next second his senses returned, and he saw that he must make the best of it.
"You vixen!" he said, with a laugh, and caught the girl by the wrist.