a measure by this time, and managed to
march through the village without reeling; but the fumes of liquor were
quickly driven from their brains on returning to the hotel, when one
after another was arrested for trespass and theft preferred by the
owner of the orchard, who brought the two women and boy into town as
witnesses.

Jet was not made a prisoner when the majority of the party were marched
to the squire's office, nor did he anticipate any trouble, for he had
done nothing more than try unsuccessfully to prevent the mischief.

Therefore he followed those under arrest to learn what disposition
would be made of the case, and as he entered the closely-packed room
was surprised at hearing one of the women say, in a voice loud enough
to be understood by all:

"There's another of 'em--that boy. I seen him standin' there all the
time."

"But I was only trying to make the others stop," Jet said quickly, as
if the remark had been addressed to him.

"Don't you believe him, squire, he was doin' that to poke fun at me,
an' jest egged the others on."

To Jet's surprise the magistrate included him in the list of prisoners,
and he had the questionable satisfaction of hearing all three of the
witnesses swear that he was aiding and abetting the thieves.

Jet tried hard to defend himself, but the squire had evidently made up
his mind in advance as to what the sentence should be, for without
allowing the prisoners to make more than a shadow of defense, he said
sternly:

"It's time you show people got to learn that you can't travel 'round
the country cuttin' up shines an' then tryin' to excuse yourselves by
sayin' you was under the influence of licker. This court don't
recognize any sich pleadin', an' sentences every one of the crowd to
pay ten dollars an' costs."

"Do you mean that each man must pay that fine?" the manager asked in
dismay.

"That's what I said, an' if there's any row kicked up I'll double it."

Jet was literally stunned and could make no reply. It is true he had
sufficient money with which to settle his fine, but he did not feel
that he was entitled to do such a thing, and besides, the injustice of
the verdict was so great as to overshadow everything else.

Extra constables were sent for to convey the prisoners to the village
lock-up until such time as they should pay the money, and when one of
these officials entered the room, Jet's anger and surprise was changed
to bewilderment.

The man who a