The army officers who had raised the cry now rushed toward Amos, threatening him with bodily harm. "Treason! Treason!" was echoed by most of the crowd. Hundreds now surged forward and things looked bad for the Prophet. To meet this danger, Amos brought into play all the strength and power that he had stored up during his shepherding days. Out in the wilderness near Tekoah he had often fought with robbers who had stolen his sheep, and, like David, even with wild beasts that had stolen his lambs. Prepared just for this kind of an emergency, keen of eye and alert of mind, he met the leaders as they came on. Unfortunately for Amos, there was nothing that could afford him protection from the rear. He could meet any number that might attack him face to face; but while he was guarding in front someone might strike him in the back--and he was surrounded by the mob. "Traitor! Traitor!" they shouted. His blood boiled with anger. He, a traitor! He, guilty of treason! Why, he was the only man who saw the danger of his people and had ventured to warn them! "Seek God and ye shall live!" kept flashing through his mind. But this was no time for preaching, not even for thinking. It was time for action. And act he did! The weak, undergrown army officers were like men of straw before Amos and he disposed of them as easily. With the speed of lightning he turned face, fearing an attack from the rear. There, however, the people had not awakened to what was going on. Facing front again, he saw that the army officers had not yet recovered from his blows. They were sprawled on the ground before him and a few of the people were laughing at their discomfiture. Amos had no desire to continue the fight and started to help the officers up; but, at that moment, he felt two pairs of hands lay hold of his mantle at the neck. A sudden turn, a quick stretching of his brawny arms, like a swimmer making for speed, and the two men, merchants, clad in their holiday finery, were pushed to either side into the crowd. Now, as soon as the bystanders saw with what ease Amos was handling his opponents, they began to laugh and take sides. A crowd always does that. Some urged Amos to go on fighting; others urged the sprawling victims to attack. Amos, however, was not there to fight, nor did his opponents fancy a good beating at his hands. In the meantime a small group of the king's guard came up, post haste, and began to disperse the crowd. The crowd scattered, but gathered again in various streets, in small groups, discussing the unusual occurrences of the day. They spoke, in whispers, overawed by the fearlessness of the Prophet--some by his ability in self-defense; some by the force of his speeches. In the palaces of the rich and mighty, gathered in Bethel at that time, Amos--what he said and what he did--was the topic of conversation no less than he was in the streets, only in one of these palaces was hatched a clever scheme for the Prophet's undoing.