nt the United States marshal squirted tobacco juice,
adroitly hitting a spittoon distant some fourteen feet.

"Constable," said the magistrate austerely, "remove that person until he
has washed his mouth." Every man present had been furtively chewing
tobacco, but no one who knew Captain Taylor in his official mood would
have presumed to spit. Every jaw became rigid, every eye looked
reproachfully at the marshal, who rose protesting in stately sentences
that he represented the majesty of the people.

"Take his majesty out," said the captain with dreadful calmness, "and
put him under the pump."

The representative of the stock associations rose to support his
countryman.

"Clap them in irons," said the captain. "I'll have no spitting on my
quarter deck."

Jesse and Dale rose to assist the constable, and for some stirring
moments we were threatened with international complications. Then in his
quaint slow drawl my husband obtained leave to address the magistrate.
"I got an American book right here," said he, "in my hind pocket. It's
called _Deportment for Gents_. In real high-toned society, this
Honeypott claims that Amurrican gentlemen chews, but reserves the juice
until they happens on a yaller dawg. Then they assists that dawg with
his complexion."

The marshal stooped to pet the captain's bulldog.

"I'd help this yaller purp," said he, with a grave smile, "if I'd
thicker pants."

The captain chuckled and the case went on, our visitors having "allowed
that they didn't propose to chew in a court of justice."

"Prisoners," said our justice of the peace, laying his hand on the
Bible, "this book contains the only law I know. I'm not here as judge or
lawyer, but as one of Her Majesty's officers trusted to do the sporting
thing, and to deal fairly and squarely with three innocent men who have
the misfortune to be charged with crime. You've only to prove to me that
you're innocent, and I have power to let you go free. But I warn you to
tell the truth."

"Seems a square deal, Cap," said Whiskers.

"It is a square deal. Now, would you like to have some one of your
countrymen as prisoners' friend?"

Whiskers looked reproachfully at the United States marshal who demanded
his extradition, and the representative of stock associations who
offered fabulous rewards for his body "dead or alive."

"Wall," he drawled, "not exactly."

"You other prisoners. Do you accept this man as your spokesman?"

"_Si_, senor."

"T