"Take hees peestols!" she palpitated.
And Frank followed this piece of advice, relieving the fallen ruffian of his revolvers, so that Tom's hand reached vainly for one of the weapons as he began to recover.
"Eef you make de fight," said the girl to the ruffians, "we now gif you eet all you want."
Never before had they seen her in such a mood, and they were astounded. But they knew she could shoot, for they had seen her display her marksmanship.
"You little fool!" grated Sam. "Are you goin' to help that galoot try to git erway?"
"No, I do not dat; but I see he ees not hurt till Beel he come back."
Then she commanded Frank to throw down the pistol he had taken from Tom, which Merry did, knowing there was no chance for him to escape then without a shooting affray, in which he was almost certain to be wounded.
Immediately on this act of Frank's the ruffians seemed to abandon any desire to draw and shoot at him.
But Brazos Tom rose in a great rage, almost frothing at the mouth.