or, to speak technically, "bucking"
away large sums at monte. Mr. B., who knew that he had no money of his
own, immediately came over to Indian Bar and had him arrested on
suspicion. Although he had lost several ounces, he had still about a
hundred dollars remaining. But as it is impossible to identify
gold-dust, Mr. B. could not swear that the money was his.

Of course the prisoner loudly protested his innocence, and as he was
very drunk, the Squire adjourned all further proceedings until the next
day, placing him under keepers for the night.

On the following morning I was awakened very early by a tremendous
"Aye," so deep and mighty that it almost seemed to shake the cabin with
its thrilling emphasis. I sprang up and ran to the window, but could
_see_ nothing, of course, as our house stands behind the Humboldt, but
I could easily understand, from the confused murmur of many voices and
the rapidly succeeding "ayes" and "noes," that a large crowd had
collected in front of the latter. My first apprehension was expressed
by my bursting into tears and exclaiming,--

"Oh! F., for God's sake, rise; the mob are going to hang Little John!"

And my fear was not so absurd as you might at first imagine, for men
have often been executed in the mines for stealing a much smaller sum
than four hundred dollars.

F. went to the Humboldt, and returned in a few minutes to tell me that
I might stop weeping, for John was going to have a regular trial. The
crowd was merely a miners' meeting, called by Mr. B. for the purpose of
having the trial held at the Empire for the convenience of his wife,
who could not walk over to Indian Bar to give her evidence in the case.
However, as her deposition could easily have been taken, malicious
people _will_ say that it was for the convenience of her husband's
_pockets_, as it was well known that at whichever house the trial took
place the owner thereof would make a handsome profit from the sale of
dinners, drinks, etc., to the large number of people who would
congregate to witness the proceedings. Miners are proverbial for their
reverence for the sex. Of course everything ought to yield where a lady
is concerned, and they all very properly agreed, _nem. con._, to Mr.
B.'s request.

The Squire consented to hold the court at Rich Bar, although many think
that thereby he compromised his judicial dignity, as his office is on
Indian Bar. I must confess I see not how he could have done otherwise.
The