With a cry, Joe rushed upon the would-be assassin, causing him to stumble and fall, while the gentleman in front turned round in amazement.
Joe sprang to his side.
“Have you a pistol?” he said quickly.
Scarcely knowing what he did, the gentleman drew out a pistol and put it in Joe’s hand. Joe cocked it, and stood facing the ruffian.
The desperado was on his feet, fury in his looks and a curse upon his lips. He swung the sand-bag aloft.
“Curse you!” he said. “I’ll make you pay for this!”
“One step forward,” said Joe, in a clear, distinct voice, which betrayed not a particle of fear, “and I will put a bullet through your brain!”
The assassin stepped back. He was a coward, who attacked from behind. He looked in the boy’s resolute face, and he saw he was in earnest.
“Put down that weapon, you whipper-snapper!”
“Not much!” answered Joe.