What would they do when the last one fell?
Presently Doty Buxton, who had been making observations, came in, pale and
excited. "You'd better git yo' pistols," he said, "an' I'll git mine, for
they're gittin' madder an' madder every time he ain't there."
"Well," the sheriff answered, "I want you to witness that I ain't armed. My
pistols are over there on the table, unloaded. Thank the good Lord!" he
exclaimed, suddenly; "there's the train, an' Judge More! I hope he'll come
right along."
"An' there goes the last do'!" said Doty, as, after a crash and a momentary
silence, oaths and ejaculations filled the air. He drew near the sheriff,
but the sheriff moved away.
"Stand back," he said; "you've got little children."
In an instant the crowd rushed in, headed by Morris, whose burning eyes
seemed to be starting from his drawn white face. Like a flash Doty sprang
forward and wrenched an axe from the infuriated man, crying out, "Partin
ain't armed!"
For answer a blow from Morris's fist dropped the sheriff like a dead man. A
sudden silence fell, and Morris, standing over his fallen foe, looked about
him as if dazed.
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