The prisoners seemed about to have a very unpleasant experience indeed. There was no one to restrain the crowd except the soldiers and they sympathized with the angry people.
And the crowd seemed to know that; they surged nearer.
"A prison's too good for them!" they roared.
The old hag was still shaking her cane and yelling her maledictions. At that moment a man snatched the stick from her hand and aimed a blow at Clif's face.
The cadet's hands were tied behind him, and he was nearly helpless. But he managed to turn and catch the blow upon his shoulders.
And an instant later his foot shot out and caught the enraged Spaniard squarely in the stomach.
The man staggered back.
"Madre di dios!" he gasped. "He's killed me."
Clif's daring action set the crowd in a perfect frenzy.
"Stone 'em!" yelled Ignacio.