do you say to that as an attempt at
wholesale murder? Come and help me here, some of you. I've got the big
man down, but he's as strong as a horse. I couldn't have held him if I
hadn't thrown a biscuit-bag over his head."

It was light for a few minutes while the canvas roof of the saloon
burned; but as the woodwork was rapidly torn down and trampled out to
save the so-called hotel, all was dark again, with a pungent smoke
arising.

Two men were dragged into the circle which had formed round the judge,
whose figure could be just made out as he kneeled between the shoulders
of the man he had down; and Dallas and Abel stood close by, fascinated
as it were, and feeling a thrill of horror as they thought of their
enemies' impending fate.

"It's horrible, Dal," whispered Abel. "I hate the brute, but I don't
want to see him hanged."

"Then you'd better be off," said a man who heard the remark, "for the
beast will swing before many minutes are passed."

"I don't see why you two young fellows should care," said another. "He
was eager enough to get you hanged."

"Have you made his wrists fast behind him?" said the judge out of the
darkness.

"Yes; all right."

"Let him get up, then. Here, landlord--squire--a lantern here."

"Haven't you had light enough, judge? What about my saloon?"

"All right, old fellow," said a voice. "You hold plenty of our gold;
we'll club together to pay for a better one."

"Thank ye, gentlemen. Hi! bring a lantern."

At the same moment the prisoner rose to his feet, and the sack over his
head was drawn off.

"I say, you know, I've come quietly," he cried in a hoarse voice.
"Here, put those pistols down. You haven't served my two young chaps
like that, have you?"

"Bob Tregelly?" cried Dallas and Abel in a breath.

"What's left of him, my sons. They've 'most smothered me."

"Hallo!" said the judge at the same moment. "I took you in the dark for
that red-bearded fellow."

"I was going for him when you pulled that bag over my head," growled the
Cornishman.

"Here, who has got that fellow?" roared the judge.

"We've got his mates," came out of the darkness, and two men were
dragged forward, struggling hard to get free.

"Here, what game do you call this?" snarled one of them, as soon as he
could speak.

"Yes," said the other. "You fools: you've got the wrong men."

"I'm blessed! Ha, ha, ha!" roared the big Cornishman.

"You've never let those other two escape, ha