In fact, the strength she lost with the arm which had been blown off seemed to have concentrated in this remaining arm.
Jack found it no easy matter to get the weapon, for she held on to it with great persistence, and exerted every device to delay him as long as possible.
"You shall not have it!" she raved as she struggled.
"Let up!" cried Jack, losing patience. "I don't want to use you roughly on account of your sex and crippled condition. But I'll have to do it."
He thereupon tore the hatchet from her hand.
Flinging it into the next room, he saw her spring toward him, and make an effort to grapple him.
Struggling with women was very distasteful to Jack.
He therefore avoided her and rushed out the door.
She ran after him screaming and threatening, but he kept out of her reach and got upon the stage.
The sheriff was already aboard.