Put down that gun, Carter! If just one of you lads come through that door, I'll plug these twelve shots, and you know how I shoot--Lacy will get the first one, and Mike the second.

Stand there now! Go on out, Jim; I'm right along with you." They were far from free even outside the swinging doors and in the sunshine.

Already a rumour of what had occurred had spread like wildfire, and men were on the street, eager enough to take some hand in the affray.

A few were already about the steps, while others were running rapidly toward them, excited but uncertain.
It was this uncertainty which gave the little marshal his one slender chance.

His eyes swept the crowd, but there was no face visible on whom he could rely in this emergency.