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〃He wasn't too old and rheumatic to fight like a wildcatwhy； he had to be
lifted up bodily and carried into his cell。 Not a word can we get out of him；
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or a bite of grub into him。 I believe that old codger's just too obstinate to
die！〃
When they reached the prison door； the crowd gathered about them；
eager for news； watching Mizzoo unfasten the door as if he were
unlocking the secret to Willock's whereabouts。 There were loud
imprecations on the head of the murderer； and fierce prophecies as to what
would happen to Bill if he preserved his incriminating silence。 It seemed
but a moment before hurrying forms from many directions packed
themselves into a mass before the jail。
The cells were in the basement。 The only entrance to the building was
by means of a flight of six steps leading to an unroofed platform before the
door of the story proper。 Mizzoo and Wilfred； standing on this platform；
were lifted above the heads of perhaps a hundred men who watched
eagerly the dangling bunch of keys。 Mizzoo had stationed three deputies at
the foot of the steps to keep back the mob； for if the excited men once
rushed into the jail nothing could check their course。 The deputies； tall
broad…shouldered fellows； pushed back the threatening tide； always with
good…natured protests；words half bantering； half appealing； repulsive
thrusts of the arms； rough but inflicting no hurt。 So peaceful a minute
before had been the Square； it was difficult to comprehend the sudden
spirit of danger。
Mizzoo whispered to Wilfred； 〃We'd better get in as quick as
possible。〃
The words were lost in the increasing roar of voices。 He spoke again：
〃When I swing open the door； that bunch will try to make a run for it。
You jump inside and I'll be after you like a shot。。。。 We'll lock ourselves in
〃
〃Hey； Mizzoo！〃 shouted a voice from the crowd； 〃bring out that old
cuss。 Drag him to the platform； we want to hear what he's got to say。
〃Say； Mr。 Sheriff！ Tell him if he won't come to us； we'll go to him。
We've got to know where Brick Willock's hiding； and that's all about it。〃
〃Sure！〃 growled a third。 〃What kind of a town is this； anyway？ A
refuge for highwaymen and murderers？〃
A struggle took place at the foot of the stairs； not so good…naturedly as
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heretofore。 A reasoning voice was heard： 〃Just let me say a word to the
boys。〃
〃Yes！〃 called others； 〃let's hear HIM！〃
There was a surging forward； and a man was lifted literally over the
heads of the three deputies； he reached the platform breathless； disheveled；
but triumphant。 It was the survivor of Red Kimball's band。
Mizzoo； mistaking his coming for a general rush； had hastily relocked
the door； and he and Wilfred defended themselves with drawn revolvers。
〃I ain't up here to do no harm；〃 called the ex…highwayman。 〃I ain't got
the spirit for warfare。 My chief is killed； my pards is dead。 Even that
innocent stage…driver what knew nothing of us； is killed in the attack that
Brick Willock made on us in the dark and behind our backs。 How're you
going to grow when the whole world knows you ain't nothing but a den of
snakes？ You may claim it's all Brick Willock。 I say if he's bigger than the
town； if he murders and stabs and you can't help it； then the town ain't as
good as him。 My life's in danger。 I don't know if I'll draw another breath。
What kind of a reputation is that for you to send abroad？ There's a man in
this jail can tell you where Willock's hiding。 Good day！〃
The speaker was down the steps in two leaps； and the deputies drew
aside to let him pass out。 Civic pride； above all； civic ambition； had been
touched to the quick。 A hoarse roar followed the speech； and cries for Bill
grew frantic。 Mizzoo； afraid to unlock the door； stared at Wilfred in
perplexity。
〃I told you they had civilization on the brain；〃 he muttered。 〃The old
times are past。 I daresn't make a move toward that lock。〃
〃Drop the keys behind youI'll get 'em；〃 Wilfred murmured。 〃Step a
little forward。 Say something to 'em。〃
〃Ain't got nothing to say；〃 growled Mizzoo； glaring at the mob。 〃These
boys are in the right of it； that's how I feelcuss that obstinate old bobcat！
it's his own fault if they string him up。〃
〃Here they come！〃 Wilfred exclaimed。
〃Steady now； old Mizzoowe've whipped packs of wolves before
todaycoyotes crazy with hungerbig gray loafers in the rockseh；
Mizzoo？〃 He shouted to the deputies who had been pushed against the
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railing： 〃Give it to 'em； boys！〃
But the deputies did not fire； and the mob； though chafing with mad
impatience； did not advance。 It was a single figure that swept up the steps；
unobstructed； aided； indeed； by the mass of packed men in the streeta
figure slight and erect； tingling with the necessity of action to which every
vein and muscle responded； tingling so vitally； so electrically； that the
crowd also tingled； not understanding； but none the less thrilled。
〃Lahoma！〃 Wilfred was at her side。 〃You here！〃
〃Yes； I'm here；〃 she returned breathlessly； her face flaming with
excitement。 〃I'm going to talk to these peoplelet me have that〃 She
took the revolver from his unresisting hand； uncocked it； and slipped it
into her bosom。 Then she faced the mob and held up her empty hand。
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CHAPTER XXIII
FACING THE MOB
It was the first time Lahoma had ever faced an audience larger than
that composed of Brick and Bill and Willock； for in the city she had been
content to play an unobtrusive part； listening to others； commenting
inwardly。 Speech was now but a mode of action； and in her effort to turn
the sentiment of the mob； she sought not for words but emotions。 Bill's life
was at s