nce--he dared not remain. After Skinner had
gone the way of all squatters who incurred the penalties of the law, he,
Ben Letts, would have the girl for weal or woe.

CHAPTER XI

The last day of Skinner's trial found Tessibel taking her lonely way
toward town. She was going for Daddy Skinner--to bring him home to a
shanty which she thought was clean, although the ragged curtain still
flapped its tatters over a dirty window and the cobwebs hung listlessly
from Daddy Skinner's unused net. But Tess had done her best, and her
heart sang with delightful expectancy as she neared the dangerous open
trestle which spanned the Hoghole gorge.

When she turned into town, her mind was at work with the thought of how
she would bring Daddy triumphantly through the row of squatter huts,
lead him even through the streets of Ithaca. Her vivid imagination
played with the scene: Frederick the student would see her; he would
know that together they had saved the dearest life ever given into the
hands of a jury.

Up the snow-covered street, through Dewitt park, and Into the little
lane she tramped. Here Tessibel halted. The court-room was so crowded
that an overflow of men stood in the street with overcoats tightly
buttoned, stood listening for the words that would satisfy their
demands: Orn Skinner must die. A demonstration of joy ringing from the
court made the child shiver--then smile. Not even the wicked jeering of
Daddy's enemies could shake her faith in the student's word. Twelve
jurors sat in their chairs, but a useless set of men, for a unanimous
ban of death had been pronounced upon the fisherman before any one of
the jury had taken the oath. Some of the evidence did not reach their
ears for they were thinking of other things--the man of two humps was as
far away from their homes or their hopes, as the rope that would end
him.

During the trial the prisoner had remained silent in his chair, with a
stolidity that aroused no sympathy for him. Not once was he seen to lift
his eyes to the judge; and but once, when Tess was being maligned by
Dominie Graves, did the bible-back rise and fall as if the heart beneath
were beating wildly. Skinner had not been allowed to testify in his own
defense, and, knowing the futility of it, he had not insisted upon
speaking.

His attorney made a few feeble remarks which, because of the speaker's
indifference and his disbelief in his client, fell without effect. The
prosecuting attorney to