"We gotter rush 'em. Get your guns ready," commanded Ray. "All that aren't afraid, line up behind Bill there."
He turned his back to round up others. The line doubled on him, an excited commotion shaking it. He tried to break his way clear, to understand what they were saying.
"What the——"
"Aincher heard her?"
"Nellie seed 'em!"
"All the soldiers is come! They're right behind the store!"
"They're everywhere!"
"You see?" stormed McGue, shoving Ray to the side. "Everybody below the common."
They made the change. The militia assembled before the storehouse, extended their wings, beat down the open space and the lanes parallel with it. Undetermined, the strikers waited, poorly armed, but sheltered behind friendly walls.
Huggins' big voice came faintly. "Lay down your guns," he shouted. "The first man who shoots, we'll fire. Do you surrender?"