But with equal swiftness I sprang upon the counter, kneeling in a position to command the entrance to the cellar.
"The first man who tries to escape in that direction gets a bullet in his noddle!" I grimly told them, and they halted short in their stampede, and dumbly looked at each other.
"Close in, boys!"
This to my men.
"Now then, my hearties, you're fairly cornered, and the wisest thing for you to do is to cave."
"Don't give in, lads!" yelled a gruff voice. "We're almost as many as they are, and a good bold stroke will carry us out."
Thus encouraged, the desperate men made a wild, although irresolute and wavering charge.
"Stand firm!" I yelled to my men, and then aimed at the leader of the gang.
He had cocked his revolver, was aiming at my head with deadly intent.
It was my life or his, and I pulled the trigger.