Not until the opening of the door at the stair-way stirred them did
they notice that the music and dancing below had ceased. The door
was instantly closed again after a slight sound of scuffling, and in
the moment of stillness that followed, they heard Raines say
calmly:
"No; you can't go up thar."
A brutal oath answered him, and Easter started to her feet when
she heard her father's voice, terrible with passion; but Clayton held
her back, and hurried down the stairway.
"Ef ye don't come away from that door," he could hear Hicks
saying, " 'n' stop this meddlin', I'll kill you 'stid o' the furriner."
As Clayton thrust the door open, Raines was standing a few feet
from the stairway. The drunken man was struggling in the grasp of several mountaineers, who were coaxing and dragging him across the room. About them were several other men scarcely able to stand, and behind these a crowd of shrinking women.
Git back! git back! " said Raines, in low, hurried tones.
But Hicks had caught sight of Clayton. For a moment he stood
still, glaring at him. Then, with a furious effort, he wrenched
himself from the men who held him, and thrust his hand into his
pocket, backing against the wall. The crowd fell away from him as
a weapon was drawn and levelled with unsteady hand at Clayton.
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