“I am afraid the fellows will put their threat into execution,” said Craven. “Now, you see, our lives are of no use to any one, and so, when the ten minutes are up, tell them that we will go with them, if they will take their departure quietly, and not injure you.”
“On no account would we do so!” exclaimed the brothers in the same breath. “I would not trust them, even if we should be base enough to give you up.”
“Noa, sur; I’d sooner cut out my tongue than give ye up to them arrant knaves!” exclaimed Green, doubling his fist, and shaking it in the direction he supposed that the outlaws were collected.
The minutes passed slowly by. They were doubtful whether the outlaws would begin the attack at the end of the five minutes, or wait till the termination of the ten. The dread of the fatal line, however, seemed to keep them back. The muzzles of the firearms were kept protruding from the walls, and, as there were several pistols as well as rifles, they made a good display of force, rather damping the courage of those who came expecting, probably, an easy victory.
The ten minutes came to an end, and fully another five had passed by, and the outlaws did not advance. It was very clear, therefore, that they had not intercepted Larry, nor were aware that he had gone for the police. How long it might be before they could arrive it was impossible to say; perhaps when Larry reached their quarters the larger number had been sent in an opposite direction, and considerable time might be lost. However, the importance of gaining as much time as possible was very great; for though the little garrison did not despair of beating off the enemy, they earnestly desired to avoid the bloodshed which must ensue if fighting once began.
James therefore waited with a sad and beating heart to give the fatal order, should the outlaws overstep the prescribed boundary.
“Well, what are you going to do?” shouted one of the men; “are you going to give up those fellows?”
“Who is it you are looking for?” asked James, glad of any means to spin out the time.
“Gentleman Jim and Sulking Sam,” was the answer. “Come, turn them out; you’ve got them.”
“I know no men by those names,” said James.