"There's going to be a row, Phil, and you'd better keep out of the way."
"If there's a row, that silly Waterman is responsible," Phil replied. "I'm going to the bank to see Amy."
People were flocking to Main Street from all directions, and finding that she persisted in going on, Fred kept close beside her.
"He'll scold you if you do; you'd better go home," Fred urged as they reached Franklin Street, a block south of Main, and saw the packed streets at the First National corner.
They debated a moment; then Phil was seized with an idea.
"Fred, run over to the college and bring all the boys you can find at Mill's Field. Bring them up Main Street singing, and send a flying wedge through the mob;—that will smash it. Beat it, before the boys hear the row and mix in!"
Fred was off for the athletic field before she had finished speaking, and Phil sought the side door of Montgomery's Bank.
The throng at the intersection of Franklin Street and Main faced the First National. When the court-house clock boomed three the clerks inside made an effort to close the doors, and this had provoked a sharp encounter with the waiting depositors on the bank steps. The crowd yelled as it surged in sympathy with the effort to hold the doors open. Some one threw a stone that struck the window in the middle of "National" in the sign, and this caused an outbreak of derisive cheers. An intoxicated man on the steps turned round with difficulty and waved his hat.
"Come on, boys; we'll bust the safe and find out whether they've got any money or not."
Some of those who had gained entrance to the bank came out by the side door, and this served to divert attention to Franklin Street for a moment. There were cries that a woman who had received her money had been robbed, and this increased the uproar.