"
"Yes, the jail's empty; but don't you think you oughter give me a little
time to weigh matters?"
"Is there any chance of your surrendering?"
"To be perfectly honest," the sheriff answered, "there isn't." Then, seeing
the crowd approaching, he slipped inside the heavy gate, and Doty Buxton
chained it. "Now, Doty," he said, "we'll peep through these auger-holes and
watch 'em; and when you see' em coming near, you must shoot through these
lower holes. Shoot into the ground just in front of 'em. It's nasty to have
the dirt jumpin' up right where you've got to walk. I know how it feels. I
always wanted to hold up both feet at once. I reckon they've gone to get a
log to batter down the gate. They can do it, but I'll make 'em take as long
as I can. We musn't hurt anybody, Doty, but we must protect the State
property as far as we're able. Here they come! Keep the dirt dancin', Doty.
See that? They don't like it. I told you they'd want to take up both feet
at once. When bullets are flying round your head, you can't help yourself,
but it's hard to put your feet down right where the nasty little things are
peckin' about.
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