was being done, he at length rose slowly to his feet, and mounted the
bench on which he had been sitting.

"B'ys," he began, rolling a wad of tobacco in his cheek, "let's git
down to bizness. We've met here, as I understand it, to see about that
poke of gold, and all the talk seems to be about what to do with the
thief. Now, who is he, and how are we to find him? I suggest that
fust of all we appoint a chairman to this here meetin', an' git down to
bed rock."

"Right ye are, Sol," said one, "and I move that you take the chair, or,
I should say, bench."

"Hold right thar, pard," broke in the old man. "I don't want that
persition, an' I won't take it. Appint some one else."

"Pritchen, then," called out another. "I move for Pritchen."

"Pritchen, Pritchen," came the response. "He'll do. He's the tongue
for such things. Mount the bench, Bill."

Since the night of the debate Pritchen appeared to be a changed man.
Instead of making a big fuss over the affair he had laughed it off with
the men, and even shook hands with Caribou Sol. "It was only a little
racket," so he told them, "and the sooner forgotten the better." He
occasionally went to the Reading Room, and one Sunday attended church.
The men declared that Bill was "the clear stuff," after all, so
agreeable did he make himself to every one who came in his way. It was
therefore quite natural that he should be chosen chairman on this
occasion.

A half smile played around his mouth as he complied with the miners'
request. He was much pleased with the result so far, and looking from
his elevated position, a contemptuous feeling for the men around him
came into his heart. "What curs they are," he said to himself, "to be
led first one way and then another. But a short time ago they were
ready to drive me out of Klassan; now they have chosen me chairman.
Oh, what great things a little oil will do to make human machines run
smoothly. I guess I've applied it all right this time. My forbears
didn't lick the Blarney stone in old Ireland for nothing, I see that
for sure."

"Boys," he began very deliberately, "I thank you for this honour.
Anyone else would make a far better fist at it; though I shall do the
best I can. It is in the interest of the community that this serious
problem before us should be considered as carefully and promptly as
possible. The meeting is now open for discussion as to the best manner
of proceeding."

"Let's turn out and se