ee, he had a lot of money on him from the dog fight."

"But ze beeg hound?"

"He was shot, too."

"Ze murderer, zey 'ave caught?"

"Not yet. They say the sheriff's on his trail, though. He just got back
from Sacramento and he went right out. By jinks, he's coming now! An'
he's got 'im!"

"Mon Dieu! It is Monsieur Ant'ony!"

"No!"

"Oui! Heem, my woman's heart knows well."

"By jinks, you must be right! There's the fightin' jack followin' the
horses. Dude Anthony of all people!"

"It is not true! It cannot be!"

"Think I've got my man, boys. His clothes are covered with blood and the
money was in his cabin."

"I have just made a strike in my claim. That is my own money."

"Yes, of course, but the court thinks you oughtn't to keep it too long!"

"The 'court' is in his cups. He's sittin' over there in the plaza with
his back against the flag pole, an' he won't budge. You listen--.

"Judge, can I see you to your room for a few hours' sleep?"

"What for?" asked the judge, eyeing the questioner solemnly. "Is there
anything in the statutes of the State of California which forbids my
pre-empting this small space on the highway? Is there any reason, if
I am so inclined, that I should not teach my fellow-citizens the great
moral lesson of the overthrow and debasement of genius by the demon
rum? Am I not better employed than if in a stifling, tobacco-perfumed
courtroom, beating law into the thick skull of a lawyer, who doesn't
know Blackstone from white quartz? But, if you have four bits on you,
and should ask me to join you--Ah, you have?"

"Well," said the sheriff to Anthony, after they had vanished into a near
bar, "I'll have to put you in the jug till court convenes."

* * * * *

Buckeye Pete was celebrating. He seemed to be suddenly flush with "dust"
and was dispensing drinks with a liberality which soon brought him a
numerous following. By midnight it was a well-mellowed assemblage.

"Mignon, how long have you been dealin'?"

"About tree, four mont', Monsieur."

"I don't mean here. I mean altogether."

"About six ye-ar, Monsieur."

"You must be well off by this time. An' they say that you've earned it
all workin', and that you're straight. Say, I'll marry you, if you say
the word--"

"You say, they say, too much, Monsieur."

"Here! Don't you go givin' me no orders, you French crinoline fluff!"

"I ordair no man, an' no man is ordair me!" She stared him down with her
glittering, black eyes, a