ner of living. We
cared for our children, treated our wives better, built a church,
school room and store. We lived happier, with plenty to eat and to
wear, and looked forward to another life after death. Then the miners
came; they built cabins in our midst, dug our land for gold, and tried
to ruin our young men and women. They drove away our teacher, and
burnt our store. Our men have come back from the hunting grounds; they
find what has been done, and are very angry.

"'Are we not men?' say they. 'We will fight and drive out the
strangers.' But the Spirit conquers; it holds them back. 'Call a
Council,' it says. 'Gather the white men, and let them punish the ones
who injured us.'

"In your midst stands one man who has caused all the trouble. His
heart is bad, like the heart of a black bear. He wronged our teacher;
he stole gold; he put it in the mission house; hid it there. He said
our teacher did it. He laughed at him, and drove him from Klassan. He
is there! He is there!" and the chief stretched out his hand and
pointed straight at Pritchen, who shrank back as from a terrific blow.

The speaker was about to proceed, but ere he could utter another word
Old Pete sprang forward, and with blazing eyes confronted the Indian
who had made this serious charge.

"Tell me!" he cried, "is it true? Is it true what ye say about the
missionary? Is the skunk among us what done that deed? Tell me,
quick!"

"Over there," replied Amos, pointing to the wretched Pritchen.

"It's a lie! A d-- lie, I tell you!" shouted the latter. "I know
nothing about it! The Injun hates me, and wants to ruin me. Let them
prove it, if they can! They can't do it!"

Pete was about to turn towards him with angry words on his lips, when
cries of rage from the miners caused him to hesitate, and to realize
his position. The men were thoroughly aroused, he knew that, and ready
to fall upon the villain without more ado. That the scoundrel needed a
severe punishment there was no doubt, but he wished to be just and not
let the base mob instinct rule.

"B'ys!" he shouted, "jist wait a leetle, afore ye do anything rash.
Let the Injun prove to us first what he says is true. It may be all
imagination."

"Injun speak true," said Amos somewhat indignant to think that the
chief's words should be doubted.

"What ye say may be kerrect," replied Pete, "but all we ax is fer ye to
show yer proof. How d'ye's know that Pritchen put the go