Back he came in mock fear, his hands in the air.

On down the line went the contributing men.

Then the bandit rushed forward, gathered up the bills and gold pieces, shoved them in his pockets, and whirled toward the door.
"The purpose of this 'ere will be in the paper to-morrow," he announced.

"And don't you follow me to find out! Back there!" Two or three laughing men had started forward, among them a fiddler, who had joined the line, and who now rushed out in flaunting bravery, brandishing his violin as though to brain the intruder.

Again the command: "Back there--get back!" Then the crowd recoiled.