“Faix, I’ll not boodge a quarther av an inch!” replied Barney.
“Tell your friends to keep back or you are a dead man!”
“Shtand back as far as ther sturrun, fellies!” roared Barney. “Ther further back yez goes ther safer me loife will be!”
Frank and his companions heard this cry.
It brought them to a pause, for they realized that Barney was in danger.
A consultation was held to devise a means of getting the man into their power and saving Barney.
“See here,” said the stranger to the Irishman.
“I’m luckin’, yer honor,” replied the Celt.
“Lower the engine to the ground so I can alight.”
“I will; only kape that knife away. Begorry, it makes a cowld chill floy up an’ down me backbone whin ther p’int tooches me.”