The cashier and the son of the banker were chatting together when Jesse suddenly whipped out his trusty "Colts" and covered them, hissing:
"We've come to help you open the bank! Get a move on and open that vault!"
In blank amazement, the startled cashier whirled about, his mouth opened as though to shout an alarm only to close it as he beheld the ugly muzzles of the four six-shooters pointed at him.
"Don't stand and gawp! Step lively!" admonished the bandit-chieftain.
For an instant, Mr. Harris hesitated, evidently trying to make up his mind whether to save his life or his depositors' money, then whined:
"You have me at your mercy! I'm helpless!"
"That's the way to talk," grinned the great outlaw. "But 'actions speak louder than words.' Open that vault or you'll be running errands for the Devil before you're two minutes older!"
His hands trembling so that he could with difficulty work the combination, the cashier strove to obey.
Intent upon watching him, Cole and Jesse had left young Rozier unguarded.
Biding his time, the youth waited till the robbers' eyes were riveted on the steel vault, then made a dash for the door.