Farnham realized the impulse, and drew back, not shrinking away, but bracing for the contest.

But the engineer gripped himself in time.
"Hayes," he ejaculated hoarsely, "let the lady decide this.

If she says no, then, by God, I 'll fight you all single-handed before he ever puts touch upon her!" Old Bill Hicks was beside him in a single stride, his face blazing.
"I 'm damned if yer will!" he growled madly.

"I 'm in on this deal, law er no law.

The whole blame thing is a bluff, an' I 'll not stan' fer it no longer.