Madden called from the line Atkinson and the men whom he had chosen to accompany him on the night ride. A brief parley followed. Then he and two of the engineers went inside the jail, while the superintendent and one young fellow stole away in the shadows towards the spot where stood the cars.
Meanwhile the throng had grown until it filled all the space about the rear of the court house and formed a mass of human bodies on which the checkered moonlight played reaching to within half a dozen paces of the jail. A shot rang out and a bullet struck the jail. It was like a match lighted near powder, that if allowed to burn would set off an explosion. One shot would lead to others from reckless spirits, to a volley and in the end to an onslaught.
Perhaps that was the reasoning and the purpose of the man who had fired. In any case, it must not be repeated.
Weir strode forward towards the crowd.
“If that man, or any of you, want to shoot this out with me, let him show himself,” he said, threateningly and swinging the muzzle of his weapon along the line of faces.
A quick retreat on the part of those nearest marked the respect with which it was considered. Frantically 299 they strove to push further back into the mob, clawing and elbowing.
“If you try any more shots,” he continued, speaking in Spanish as before, “those rifles will open fire.” He paused to allow this information to have full effect. “Finally, if you attempt wrecking this jail, the three hundred workmen from the dam will march down to San Mateo and teach you proper observance of the law. If you’re really looking for trouble, those three hundred men will give this town trouble that will be remembered for twenty years.”
Standing there in the moonlight between the two parties, between the thin line of sentinels about the jail and the dense mob in front, Steele Weir’s action seemed the height of rashness. A rush of the Mexicans and he would be overwhelmed, a cowardly shot from somewhere in the rear and he might be killed. It was like inviting disaster.
If, however, he recognized his danger, he gave no sign of it. By the power of his gun and sheer boldness he faced them, calm, fearless, masterful. His unexpected advance had surprised the Mexicans, left them confused and uncertain. Wild and sinister tales concerning his prowess magnified him in their eyes notwithstanding their animosity. Now they seemed to feel his iron will beating against their faces.
During the pause that ensued Weir heard the jail door open. Madden was preparing to take his prisoners out.