The strained situation could not last, and he slowly backed toward the machine, holding the weapon in front, ready to be raised again to a level should it become necessary.
“Four of you are rather too much for me,” he said with a grim smile.
“Hooh! One of us could lay you out as easy as rolling off a log.”
“I am willing to take you one at a time, but I know that as soon as I get the best of him the rest of you will pitch in and do me up.”
It was “Bill” who was talking for the four. He grinned and with a snort replied:
“I’d ax nothing better than one crack at you, but there ain’t no show with that loaded gun in your hands; nobody but a coward would use that.”
“Then you may consider me a coward, for I am on to your tricks.”
By this time Harvey had reached his machine, but the problem remained as to how he could seat himself and start the motor without inviting an attack that must overwhelm him and wreck his property. He stood for a minute undecided, while his enemies, less than a dozen paces away, were on the alert for a chance to seize any advantage that offered.
Suddenly the young aviator stepped into his seat, but, standing upright, faced about and confronted them still with gun in hand. They showed an ugly disposition at the prospect of his eluding them, but seemingly there was no way to prevent it.
“If you would like a closer view,” Harvey said, “I have no objection, but you must come one at a time. You may do so first.”