"You must go to the store now," Sam cried.
"What's the good? They will get in there as easily as here."
"Mr. Wright and his men are well armed and can protect you."
"There has been no shootin' done yet, an' I'll not be the cause of the first bullet. It is better to give myself up at once."
"You shall not," and Sam clasped the miner around the waist. "Try the back door; it will be possible to give them the slip if you hurry."
Brace hesitated a moment as if unwilling to display anything which might be mistaken for cowardice, and then Fred and Sam literally forced him toward the door.
"While you run I will attract the attention of the men," Mrs. Byram said, as she showed herself at the window, and the miner sprang out at the very instant when half a dozen of the rioters entered the gate.
"Tryin' to give us the slip, eh?" one of the party cried, as all rushed forward.
It was too late for Brace to return; in a twinkling the men had surrounded him. Fred and Sam saw a short but sharp struggle, and before they could so much as make a move toward going to his assistance he was overpowered.
Attracted by the cries of their companions, those at the front of the house came around swiftly, and Brace was half carried, half forced into the street.