ndrel, looking round
protestingly at all present. "But there, I've done."

He dropped heavily back in his seat, and held up his hands to his two
companions.

"That's a queer way of defending yourself, young fellow," said a stern,
square-looking man, who spoke roughly, but in a way that suggested
education.

"Yes, but it's the truth," cried Dallas firmly. "Hands off, gentlemen.
We shall not try to run away."

"Now, then: these three gentlemen say they have been robbed on the
road."

"And I say it is false. That man is a liar and a thief--a would-be
murderer."

"Well," cried the red-bearded man again. "Did you ever, mates?"

"No," cried one of the others. "Why, he talks like a play actor."

"Look here, gentlemen," cried the third excitedly, and he rose, planted
a foot on the bench, and bared his bound-up leg, "here's that tall un's
shot as went through my calf here. I'm as lame as a broken-kneed un."

A murmur of sympathy ran through the place, and Dallas spoke out again
as Abel looked quietly round at the grim faces lowering through the
smoke.

"Look here, gentlemen, I can prove my words," cried Dallas.

"Very well, then," said the dark, square-looking man, "prove them; you
shall not be condemned unheard."

A chill ran through the young man at the other's judicial tone, and the
name of Judge Lynch rose to his mind. But he spoke out firmly.

"A friend who has journeyed here with me is to meet me here to-night.--
Ah, here is one gentleman who knows us;" and he made a step towards
their bluff acquaintance of that evening, who had risen from his seat
farther in, and was looking frowningly on. "Speak a word for us, sir."

"Well, my lad, I never saw you till to-night," was the reply. "I did
have a chat with this man, gentlemen, and his mate there, and I found
them well-spoken young fellows as ever I met."

"But you never saw them before," said the dark man.

"Well, I must tell the truth," said the gold-finder.

"Of course."

"No," said the man sadly, "I never did but fair play, gentlemen,
please."

"They shall have fair play enough," said the dark man. "What about your
friend, prisoners, is this he?"

"Prisoners!" gasped Abel. "No, no; a friend who travelled with us."

"Bah! Another lie, gentlemen," cried Redbeard mockingly; "they were
alone, and shot my mate, so that it was two to two; but they took us in
ambush like, and by surprise. They hadn't got no friend with 'em."

"Yes, they h