Seizing a knife from the table, Jesse slammed the door at the kitchen end of the hallway, jammed the knife in such a way over the latch that it would hold it down, then shut and bolted the door leading into the yard.
"Round the house to the back side!" yelled someone who had seen Cole and Clell throw up the window-sashes while their chief was closing the doors.
Pausing at the cry, the detectives turned and raced back, thinking to get a shot at the outlaws as they leaped from the windows.
Followed by the townfolk they ran, leaving the yard practically empty.
Where the bandits had tied them stood the three horses.
"Quick! This way, boys!" cried the great outlaw. "We can gain our horses! 'Don't shoot unless you have to!'"
As he had uttered his change of plans, Jesse had unbolted the door and when his companions were at his side, he threw it open and rushed to the ponies.
Cutting the reins with their knives, the three desperadoes vaulted into the saddles.
"Down behind the barn," whispered the great outlaw.
And digging the rowels of their spurs into the horses' flanks, the outlaws dashed off for the woods they could see at the back of the out-buildings.