"you'll
greatly oblige us by retiring at once."

"We'll not move a step until you take the rope from that man's neck,"
said Blanch firmly and unabashed, still holding her ground. Her words
acted like a challenge. His temper was thoroughly roused, it being a
question whether he or a lot of women should have their way. He, Jim
Blake, overpowered by a mob of sentimental, hysterical women--not while
he lived!

"Then, ladies," he answered curtly, placing his hat firmly on his head,
"if you won't go into the house, you'll have to see him swing, that's
all!" and quickly detailing half his men who lined up before the
spectators with cocked rifles, he shouted to the others behind them
holding the rope: "Boys, when I count three, do your work!" There was no
mistaking his words. The prisoner uttered a half-articulate groan.

"One--" slowly counted Blake.

The Mexicans crossed themselves and began to mutter prayers. Women
screamed.

"Two--three--" but simultaneously with the word three, was heard the
report of a pistol, and the men pulling on the rope rolled on the
ground, a hopelessly entangled mass of arms and legs. The rope had been
severed just above the prisoner's head, and when the smothered oaths of
the men mingled with the screams of the women had subsided, Dick Yankton
with pistol in hand was seen leaning out over the veranda rail.

"I reckon there won't be any hanging at the old _Posada_ this morning,
Jim Blake," he said, calmly covering the latter with his weapon.

"Well, darn my skin!" gasped Blake. "Where did you come from?"

"Oh, I just dropped around," replied Dick, unconcernedly.

"Now, gentlemen," he continued, addressing the men, "I've got the drop
on Blake, and if any one of you moves hand or foot I'll send him to a
warmer place than this in pretty quick time."

"Don't mind me, boys--turn loose on him!" cried Blake pluckily, but
nobody seemed inclined to obey.

"It won't do, Jim," spoke up one of his men. "We ain't a going to see
you killed before our eyes. Besides, it's Dick Yankton."

"Jack!" called out Dick, "free the prisoner and be quick about it!"

"You're interfering with the law!" roared Blake, as the Captain
proceeded to obey Dick's command.

"I know it," replied Dick; "it isn't the first time I've interfered with
it either. Besides, I don't see why I haven't got as good a right to it
as you or any other man." Blake sputtered and squirmed helplessly as he
faced Dick's weapon, not daring