There was an eager, growling assent from the miners as they pressed a little closer.
“We’re givin’ you just one more chance to beat it! You savvy?” As he often did when excited or greatly moved, Boardman dropped back into the cowboy dialect—a hangover from those wild days on the ranch when his name was still unknown to picturedom. “We’ve got a lot o’ patience, but where you’re concerned, it’s wearin’ thin, brother. We don’t like you and we don’t like your way of doin’ things. If we find you’ve cleared out for good before sundown to-morrow, you’ll have saved your yellow skin. But if you don’t take our advice, why— You tell him, fellows!” turning to his companions.
“The nearest tree!” said one.
“And a good stout rope!” added another.
Still a third made a significant gesture with both hands, a gesture strongly reminiscent of the twisted neck of a barnyard fowl.
While Ruth felt sure that these threats were made simply for the purpose of frightening the cowardly Lieberstein from the neighborhood of Knockout Point, the gestures of the young miners were vivid enough to make her feel uncomfortable. And she was conscious all of a sudden that she was very tired and that her ankle was paining her.
Lieberstein’s face was a study of conflicting emotions.
“I’ll get out!” he muttered, with an ugly look. “You bunch of——”
Boardman took a menacing step forward and there was a deep grumble from the others.
“You might,” suggested the actor gently, his eyes again narrowed to a steely glitter, “try beatin’ it now. Brother, I’m goin’ to start countin’ five——”