nly and saw that there was danger
of an attack.

He drew a pistol, and holding it firmly in his hand, said: "The first
man that interferes with me in the discharge of my duty, dies. I give
you fair warning."

A determined man generally carries his point, even against 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, and meant what he said.

"How long is he to live?" asked the brawny miner already referred to,
after a slight pause.

"I shall take him before the magistrate at once, and you know he is not
likely to defer punishment."

The police magistrate who dispensed justice, and frequently injustice,
at Bendigo, was noted for his severity, and this assurance seemed to
satisfy the miners. They followed the cavalcade, however, to make sure
that the captain kept his word. It may be stated here that, at this
early period in the history of the colony, the judicial forms which
prevail in other countries were for the most part dispensed with, and
punishment was swift and certain, especially where life or property had
been attacked.

Harry and Jack followed the crowd to a wooden structure more pretentious
than most of the buildings roundabout. The magistrate--whom I will call
Judge Wood--was at hand. He was a short, stout man, of severe aspect,
and had a harsh voice.

"Whom have we here?" he asked quickly.

The captain of police answered the question, relating also where and
under what circumstances the capture was made.

"What have you to say for yourself, my man?" he asked, turning to the
prisoner.

"I am innocent," was the reply in trembling accents.

"Of course. You all are. I never had a man brought before me who was not
innocent," said the magistrate with a sneer. "Have you any
accomplices?"

"Your honor, I am innocent, as I have already told you."

"Answer my question!" said the magistrate sternly.

"No, your honor."

"Ha! You alone are guilty then. Captain, are there any witnesses? though
it is hardly necessary. The man's face shows his guilt."

It will easily be seen how much hope the prisoner had of getting off
with such a judge presiding at the trial. Luckily for the cause of
justice the man was undoubtedly guilty, and so the judicial proceedings,
hurried and one-sided as they were, did not entail any injustice. In
half an hour the trial was completed, a conviction was obtained, and the
unhappy wretch was sentence