The crowd grew.
The increasing clamor began to attract women as well as men.

A group of girls ran up, then hung back in fright and pity.
The presence of cowboys made a difference.

They split up the crowd, got to Duane, and lay hold of him with rough, businesslike hands.

One of them lifted his fists and roared at the frenzied mob to fall back, to stop the racket.

He beat them back into a circle; but it was some little time before the hubbub quieted down so a voice could be heard.
"Shut up, will you-all ?" he was yelling.