In obedience, Clell and Frank faced about, shouting:
"Keep back! Keep back! The girl wants air!"
But as well might they have commanded the sun to stand still for all the effect their words had.
"Make 'em stand back!" snapped the bandit-chief.
The meaning of his tone was obvious and, whipping out their guns, the two desperadoes pointed them menacingly at the mob, crying:
"The girl must have air! Stop where you are!"
Their respect for the business-like muzzles of the four guns, backed by men whose faces were so calm and determined, was greater than their curiosity and the crowd paused in their tracks.
One man, stout of figure, well-groomed and well-fed, with every appearance of affluence, did not stop, however.
Ominously, the hammers of the pistols clicked.