Norton stepped quickly on the rude pine platform that had been erected for the speaker and faced the crowd. For the first time on his trip the cheering was given with moderation.
He saw the preacher walk back under the arbor and his men distribute themselves with apparent design in different parts of the crowd.
He lifted his hand with a gesture to stop the applause and a sudden hush fell over the eager, serious faces.
His eye wandered carelessly over the throng and singled out the men he had seen distribute themselves among them. He suddenly slipped his hand behind him and drew from beneath his long black frock coat a big revolver and laid it beside the pitcher of lemonade the Chairman had provided.
A slight stir swept the crowd and the stillness could be felt.
The speaker lifted his broad shoulders and began his speech in an intense voice that found its way to the last man who hung on the edge of the crowd:
"Gentlemen," he began slowly, "if there's any one present who doesn't wish to hear what I have to say, now is the time to leave. This is my meeting, and I will not be interrupted. If, in spite of this announcement, there happens to be any one here who is looking for trouble"—he stopped and touched the shining thing that lay before him—"you'll find it here on the table—walk right up to the front."
A cheer rent the air. He stilled it with a quick gesture and plunged into his speech.
In the intense situation which had developed he had forgotten the fear that had been gnawing at his heart for the past weeks.
At the height of his power over his audience his eye suddenly caught the black face of Andy grinning in evident admiration of his master's eloquence.