You all
know, and doubtless, under a like situation, would have done the same.
And so, in order that we may expeditiously finish the business, I make
a motion to disarm the three prisoners and let them go."
The motion was carried, and the two men searched for weapons. Frona
was saved this by giving her word that she was no longer armed. The
meeting then resolved itself into a hanging committee, and began to
file out of the cabin.
"Sorry I had to do it," the chairman said, half-apologetically,
half-defiantly.
Jacob Welse smiled. "You took your chance," he answered, "and I can't
blame you. I only wish I'd got you, though."
Excited voices arose from across the cabin. "Here, you! Leggo!" "Step
on his fingers, Tim!" "Break that grip!" "Ouch! Ow!" "Pry his mouth
open!"
Frona saw a knot of struggling men about St. Vincent, and ran over. He
had thrown himself down on the floor and, tooth and nail, was fighting
like a madman. Tim Dugan, a stalwart Celt, had come to close quarters
with him, and St. Vincent's teeth were sunk in the man's arm.
"Smash 'm, Tim! Smash 'm!"
"How can I, ye fule? Get a pry on his mouth, will ye?"
"One moment, please." The men made way for her, drawing back and
leaving St. Vincent and Tim.
Frona knelt down by him. "Leave go, Gregory. Do leave go."
He looked up at her, and his eyes did not seem human.
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