Men began crowding around him, cursing and shaking their fists.

One of them, whom I recognized as Charlie Dunn, an employee of my Uncle Elijah, worked his way through the crowd, and jumped up on the box directly behind father.
I saw the gleam of a knife.

The next instant, without a groan, father fell forward stabbed in the back.

Somehow I got off my pony and ran to his assistance, catching him as he fell.

His weight overbore me but I eased him as he came to the ground.
Dunn was still standing, knife in hand, seeking a chance for another thrust.
"Look out, ye'll stab the kid!" somebody yelled.