Chapter 30

• The moment Trillin’ Jack had turned his back on his would-be captors, the mob recoiled from him as if struck by the fangs of a great panther. In the chaotic aftermath, the circle of masked, scowling faces shifted restlessly. Yet Jack, calm as the eye of a gathering storm, met their hostile stares with a gentle, wry smile that belied the ferocity of his purpose.
• A gruff voice from the rear of the throng bellowed, “Look here, Mercer_ why do you want to take Danny away? Throw your lot in with us. We need you!”
• A jester, his tone mocking yet laced with challenge, roared, “If it’s fightin’ you want, maybe Lewis and Patterson will serve up a heap of it from the jail!”