ercy upon you.

"In the mean time, when not at work, you will be closely confined in the
camp lock-up, under guard of the Marshal, who shall be entitled to your
services for two days in every week for his trouble. On other days he
will hire you out to any miner who has moss to be stripped, and who will
pay for your keep during such time as you may work for him."

This unique but just sentence was greeted with a murmur of approval from
the spectators; but this was quickly silenced by a frown from the Judge,
who continued:

"All the property that you brought into this camp, including money and
outfit, excepting your personal clothing, is hereby confiscated, to be
disposed of as follows: One team of dogs, one sledge, and half the cash
found in your possession shall be restored to Mr. Jalap Coombs, from
whom you helped to steal them. The remainder of the money, after the
Indian drivers who came with you have been paid, and one dog team shall
be devoted to the relief of Simon Goldollar, who, though he seems to be
a pretty bad lot, is still a white man, and so must not be allowed to
perish if it can be helped. The third dog team shall become the property
of Marshal Bettens in place of a fee for his services. The remainder of
the property, provisions, and so forth shall be devoted to the support
of the prisoner during such times as he is working for the Marshal. Mr.
Bettens will now remove his prisoner, and I hereby declare this court
adjourned." This ended Mr. Strengel's prospects in Forty Mile, and when,
some months later, a boat arrived from the lower river, he thankfully
departed from Camp Forty Mile mentally vowing never to return.

After consulting with Phil, Serge, and Jalap Coombs, Mr. Platt Riley,
who objected to being called "Judge" outside of court, decided to
entrust Simon Goldollar's rescue from the Indian village in which he had
been left to Kurilla and Chitsah, who were persuaded by a liberal
payment to return home that way. Another Indian was hired to accompany
them as far as Fort Yukon, and bring back word to Forty Mile of their
success.

Phil wrote and sent him a letter, in which he apologized for having
accused him of stealing his money or the fur-seal's tooth, Jalap Coombs
having told him the facts concerning these things, and hoped he would
return to St. Michaels in safety. Long afterwards he learned that Simon
Goldollar did make his way down the river, aided by Kurilla and Chitsah,
and was sent on by