“Come, men!” he cried. “Get back or I’ll arrest you. Officers, draw your clubs!” he cried sternly. “Use ’em if these persons don’t get off the track. You’re trespassing!” he added. “Get back!”
He emphasized his words by shoving away those nearest to him.
“Lend a hand here!” the chief called to the motor boys.
“Come on!” yelled Jerry. “It’s partly our fault. Get ’em back out of the way of the train!”
The two Westerners lent their aid, and, much against their will, the mob got out of the path of the train, which whizzed past a moment later. The agent breathed a sigh of relief.
Many of the crowd had pieces of stone in which they detected yellow gleams. Others had hats or bags full of gravel.
“I’m going to have this tested at a jewelry store!” cried one man, as he rushed off up the street. His example was followed by others, and soon nearly half the crowd had started on a rush for the jeweler’s.
“I wish they’d all go,” said the freight agent. “Can’t you keep ’em off the track, Chief?”
“I’ll try, but it’s all foolishness anyhow. There’s no gold here.”