n't married, and don't
intend to. No, sir, we've no use for a missis rustling round with a
long-handled broom on the track of us, and I'm going to move an
amendment."

"You can't do it," said Johnston. "You brought us in of your own will, and
now you've got to hear us. This meeting is going on quietly to its
conclusion if I hold the chair. Sit down, sir."

"I'll be shot if I do!" said the other, and it became evident that trouble
was near, for a group of the disaffected commenced to sidle toward the
platform, calling on Caribou Jessy to give them a song.

But Johnston was equal to the occasion. "If you're wanting music we've
brought our own orchestra along. Mr. Harry Lorraine, the tenor, will
oblige you."

Harry promptly entered into the spirit of the thing, for he sat down
good-humoredly, and, though I forget what he sang, it was a ballad with a
catching refrain, which he rendered well, and hardly had the applause died
away when the girl commenced again, while Lee, who followed, made a strong
impression this time. Then, before the interest had slackened, Miss Marvin
held up a little book, smiling sweetly as she said:

"It was kind of you to listen so patiently, and now I'm asking a last
favor. Won't you all walk along and write your names down here?"

A number of the listeners did so, and when the rest refused jestingly,
Johnston got up.

"The meeting is over," he said, "but there's one thing yet to do--to pass
a vote of thanks to the proprietor for the use of his saloon. Then I
should like to ask him to lay out his best cigars on the bar for every one
to help himself."

There was acclamation, and the assembly would have dispersed peaceably but
that just as we went out Hemlock Jim, who had gathered the disaffected
round him, said to Johnston:

"I'm glad to see the last of you. Now sail out into perdition, and take
your shameless woman with you. But--I'm not particular--she's got to pay
tribute first."

He grasped the trembling girl's shoulder, dragged back the ample bonnet,
but the next moment I had him by the throat, and he went reeling sideways
among his comrades. Then, as by a signal the tumult began, for with a
crash of splintered glass the nearest lamp went out, and a rush was made
upon us. Something struck me heavily on the head; I saw Johnston stagger
under a heavy blow; but I held myself before the girl as we were hustled
through the doorway, and when a pistol-barrel glinted one of the railroad
men