Part 25 (1/2)

”That's true, squire; but I'll give you an idea Harry, how many Indians have you ever seen in your life?”

”About half a dozen,” answered Harry, after a pause for reflection

”And you, Jack?”

”I never saw one that I can remember”

”And yet you were both born in the States You see, captain, Indians are not so abundant in our country as you supposed Jack has never seen an Indian, but he has seen a bushranger; eh, Jack?”

”I have seen

By this time they had descended the hill, and were on the borders of thesettlement They had now attracted the attention of the nized there went up an angry shout, and a band of swarthy, bearded ly to meet them

”Give him to us!” they cried ”Give up the murderer! We will make short work of him!”

CHAPTER XXI

BUYING A CLAIM

The face of the prisoner, as he lances of the miners, betrayed extreme fear In spite of his terrible criray pallor that overspread his countenance

The captain of the police was a brave and deterh his little force was outnu

”What is it you want, men?” he demanded sternly

”We want that man--the murderer,” was the unani him up to the nearest tree,” replied a brawny miner

”There is no occasion for you to punish him--he is in the hands of the law,” replied the captain

”He may escape We want to make sure of him”

”I will answer for it that he does not escape You know me, and you can accept my assurance Is that satisfactory?”

There was a sullenthe miners It was evident that they were not wholly satisfied

The captain of police watched theer of an attack

He drew a pistol, and holding it firmly in his hand, said: ”The first e of ”

A deterainst odds Had the captain showed the slightest sign of wavering, the mob would have been upon him But they saw that he was in earnest, andis he to live?” asked the brawny ht pause