Having satisfied myself that there was not much time to lose if I wished to see fair play for Dr. Bethel, I turned away from the crowd, unnoticed, and went out to where Jim waited.
"Jim," I said, touching him on the shoulder, "they mean to make it hot for Bethel, and he will be one man against fifty—we must not allow anything like that."
"Now ye're talkin'," said Jim, knocking the ashes from his pipe, and rising slowly, "an' I'm with ye. What's yer idee?"
"We must not turn the mob against us, by seeming to co-operate," I replied. "Do you move with the crowd, Jim; I'll be on the ground as soon as you are."
"All right, boss," said Jim.
I turned back toward the telegraph office, that being midway between "Porter's" and my hotel.
The men were still there talking excitedly. I looked in at the window and beckoned to young Harris. He came to me, and I whispered:
"The men at Porter's mean mischief to Dr. Bethel; your father may be able to calm them; he had better go down there."
"He will," replied Harris, in a whisper, "and so will I."
Carnes was lounging outside the office. I approached him, and said: