"
"We'll see."
"And in the meantime I'll go hang your lover." He bowed
ironically, swung on his jingling heel, and strode out of the
room.
She stood there listening to his dying footfalls, then covered
her face with her hands, as if to press back the dreadful vision
her mind conjured.
CHAPTER 19. WEST POINT TO THE RESCUE
It was understood that the sheriff should make a perfunctory
defense against the mob in order to "square" him with the voters
at the election soon to be held. But the word had been quietly
passed that the bullets of the prison guards would be fired over
the heads of the attackers. This assurance lent an added
braggadocio to the Dutch courage of the lynchers. Many of them
who would otherwise have hung back distinguished themselves by
the enthusiasm which they displayed.
Bannister himself generaled the affair, detailing squads to
batter down the outer door, to guard every side of the prison,
and to overpower the sheriff's guard. That official, according to
programme, appeared at a window and made a little speech,
declaring his intention of performing his duty at whatever cost.
He was hooted down with jeers and laughter, and immediately the
attack commenced.
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