ll run like water."

"Put up your pistol, Pete," said our new friend, laying his hand upon
that weapon, which Burley had drawn, and was about to cock. "You begun
this 'ere quarrel, and you are not going to use the barkers without
giving the other side a chance. Is it a regular stand up and take match
that you want, or do you like ten paces better? If you are for fight,
you can be accommodated; but the fellow that fires the first shot,
without a signal, dies, if there's any virtue in a revolver."

"A fight, a fight," yelled the outsiders, and even while they were
cheering, I saw a dozen or twenty brawny-limbed fellows break through
the crowd and rush into the ring.

"We just got word from you, Charley, that an American wanted fair play.
Who is he?" asked one of the new comers; and by his peculiar dialect, I
knew him for a native of old Vermont.

"These two 'Mericans have been pitched into by Pete Burley, 'cos they
won't let him have their hoss. I happened 'long and saw the whole of it,
and I tell you it was butfully done, and, no mistake. The Yankee give
him Jesse, and yet he fetched him only one winder."

"We'll stick by you, and no mistake," cried our generous countryman,
standing between the bully and Fred, for fear that the former should do
him some harm. "The fellow is a nuisance, and ought to be kicked from
the mines, for he makes his living by sponging and stealing."

"Come, Burley," cried the American addressed as Charley, "is it a fair
stand up fight that you want, or an exchange of shots? Our countryman
will accommodate you with either, I have no doubt."

"I want his blood; d---- him, I'll have his heart out of him," yelled
the ruffian, who was also surrounded by a small circle of admirers. "He
has struck me, and I want revenge."

"Well, don't cry about it," cried Charley, quite jocular. "I suppose
that there will be no trouble in satisfying you. What say? shall I make
arrangements for a meeting, so that you can have a pop at each other?"
he continued, addressing Fred.

"The fact of it is," Charley said, dropping his voice to a whisper, "the
fellow is a bloodthirsty wretch, and has committed more than half a
dozen murders, yet they cannot be brought home to him. You have struck
him, and he will take your life on the first opportunity. You had better
shoot him, and get him out of the way. I will explain the matter to the
government inspector, and there will be nothing said about the matter."

"But you