"I didn't count, but it's a clane hundred, sure." Kildare asked Barney several more questions, and he was satisfied that the boy spoke the truth. The deputy sheriff had slept in the jail that night, and, together with the guard, he was now at hand. "Look out fer this yar boy," directed Kildare. "One o' yer git ther hose ready. I'm goin' ter try my new arrangement fer repellin' an attack." He rushed away. The deputy sheriff, whose name was Gilson, opened a small square door in the wall of the corridor, and dragged forth a coil of hose. "Pwhat are ye goin' ter do with thot?" asked Barney, in surprise. "Wait, an' ye'll see," was the reply. Then the deputy spoke to the guard. "Tyler, be ready ter let ther prisoner loose if the mob breaks in an' gits past me. You kin tell by watchin'. You know it's Hank's order thet ther cell be opened an' ther poor feller give a chance ter fight fer his life." "Where is he?" palpitated Barney. "Oi'll shtand by him till he doies!" "Ye kin do better by stayin' hyar," declared the deputy. "Ye may be needed." Bang! bang! bang! The lynchers had arrived, and they were hammering on the door. The gong began to clang wildly. "Open this door!" "Why don't Hank turn on ther water up above?" came anxiously from the lips of the deputy. "Kin it be thet his tank on ther roof has leaked dry? Ef so, his new scheme fer repellin' an attackin' party won't work very well." "Open this door!" shouted a commanding voice outside. The deputy sprang to the small panel and flung it open. "What d'yer want yere?" he demanded. "We want to come in," was the answer. "Wa'al, yer can't." "We'll agree to stay out on one condition. If you will pass out something, we'll agree not to break in." "What's ther something?" "Black Harry." "I reckoned so." "Will you give him up?" "No." "Then we shall break down the door, and I warn you that it will be very unfortunate if any of us is injured. It might bring about the lynching of other parties besides Black Harry." "Wa'al, I warn yer ter keep away from yere. We're goin' ter defend ther prisoner regardless, an' somebody's bound ter git hurt." "For the last time, will you open?" "No." "Down with the door!" Crash! crash!--the assault on the door began. CHAPTER IX. THE ASSAULT ON THE JAIL. "Why don't Hank put on ther water?" groaned the deputy sheriff. "Et'll be too late in a minute!" Crash! crash! The assailants were using a heavy battering ram, and the door was beginning to give. "Oi'm afraid it's all up with poor Frankie!" gasped Barney. A wild yell came from the mad mob at the door. "Death to Black Harry!" Bang--splinter--crash! The door was breaking, and the battering-ram was being driven against it with renewed force. There was one last great shock, and down went the door before the assault. "No water yet!" cried Gilson. "Now it is too late!" He flung down the hose, taking to his heels before the gang of masked men that swarmed into the doorway.