“Lay a hand on me if you dare, Mr. Hardy!”
“Be careful how you make yourself liable for striking the boy,” spoke up one of the spectators, who was standing at the corner of the station.
“If it wasn’t for the law I’d throw the young rapscallion into ——” using another word that may have fitted his feelings, but which grated harshly even on that exciting scene. “As it is I will make out a warrant for their arrest as quick as I can find pen and paper to do it, Johnson.”
“If you do you will have to get Sheriff Stanyan to serve it, ’squire.”
“I suppose you think I ought to let these hoodlums go where they wish, Johnson. I tell you the safety of the public demands that I stop them where they are.”
“You mistake my meaning, ’squire. While I may be sorry that they have come, I believe in fair treatment, and abiding by the law.”
“I should like to know who is breaking the law if it is not them,” snapped the justice, who was already inquiring for pen, ink and paper.
“I hardly know what charge you can bring against them, ’squire, but you are doubtless better posted than I.”
“If I weren’t I’d hold my mouth,” muttered the other, though being careful not to speak loud enough for Mr. Johnson to hear. In a louder tone he cried:
“I can arrest the whole crowd for vagrancy, and bring them up as suspicious characters. I calculate enough can be brought against them to put them in the lockup to-night, and to send them adrift to-morrow. At any rate, I propose to see what can be done. I want some one to go for Sheriff Stanyan. As Mr. Jones, the station agent, may wish to have his place cleared of such stock before night, I should advise that the messenger go for the officer with all speed possible.”