"You keep right back, boys," commanded the Deputy in a voice of steel. "The law will look after this here prisoner, if he's the guilty one."
"'You keep right back, boys,' commanded the Deputy in a voice of steel."
"Fur as we kin see, there ain't no 'if' about it," shouted Hawker, almost frothing at the mouth. "That's the man as done it, an' we're agoin' to string 'im up fer it right now, for fear he might git off some way atween the jedges an' the lawyers. You keep out of it now, Tug."
About half the crowd surged forward with Hawker in front. Up came Blackstock's gun.
"Ye know me, boys," said he. "Keep back."
They kept back. They all fell back, indeed, some paces, except Hawker, who held his ground, half crouching, his lips distorted in a snarl of rage.
"Aw now, quit it, Sam," urged one of his followers. "'Tain't worth it. An' Tug's right, anyways. The law's good enough, with Tug to the back of it." And putting forth a long arm he dragged Hawker back into the crowd.
"Put away yer gun, Tug," expostulated another. "Seein's ye feel that way about it, we won't interfere."