As she now brought it into view, they saw that she held a hatchet with a keen, glittering edge.
"This way, Mr. Wright!" cried Timberlake.
And he dove headfirst through a window.
Jack started to follow him, when the woman rushed after him with the hatchet upraised.
There was no such emotion as fear in the mother of the Missouri bandits, and she had bred her ferocity and evil will into her two detestable children.
Jack's life was in danger, for she could have dealt him a death blow with the weapon before he could get out the window after the sheriff.
He therefore turned upon her.
The young inventor was noted for his enormous strength.
Avoiding an ugly blow she aimed at his head by nimbly leaping aside, he seized the hatchet before she could raise it again and made an effort to take it away from her.
She was wonderfully strong in her single arm.