udge
and his supporters, and their red-bearded, savage-looking accuser
beneath the lamp, which shone full upon him. The smoke now hung above
them in a dense cloud.

"Is it a dream?" said Dallas to himself; and then he started, for the
judge said sharply to the man before him:

"Now, sir, you and your two friends have come here to dig gold."

"That's right, captain."

"Where did you come from?"

"Washington territory."

"That will do. Bring in the next witness."

There was a suppressed buzz of excitement, while Redbeard stood glaring
beneath the lamp, and the next man was led in.

"Now, sir, you are not sworn," said the judge, "but consider that you
are on your oath. It is a matter perhaps of life or death. Answer my
questions. You and your friends came here to find gold?"

"That's so, jedge."

"Where did you come from?"

"Me and my mates? Noo York."

"That will do. Silence!" cried the judge. "The next man. Keep those
two well apart."

The third man was led in, and the same questions asked him, when to the
second he responded sharply:

"Chicago."

There was a roar at this, but the judge held up his hand. "Silence,
gentlemen, please, while I deliver judgment'" and a deep silence fell,
while the three men glared meaningly one at the other. "I have given
this a perfectly fair hearing, and I say--"

_Crash_!

The shivering of a lamp-glass, a burst of flame like a flash of
lightning, as the lamp was dashed from where it hung; and then for a few
moments intense darkness, while there was a sudden roar and rush for the
entrance.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

TO SAVE A SNARLING CUR.

The struggle was short, for the sides of the canvas building were frail;
and as the flames ran swiftly up one side and the burning rags of the
canvas roof began to fall upon the struggling crowd, a wave rushed
against the opposite side, which gave way like so much paper, and the
panting, half-stifled sufferers gained the cool fresh night air.

"Any one left within?" panted the judge; but the silence which followed
was enough to indicate that all had escaped.

"Where are the other prisoners?"

"We are here--my cousin and I," cried Abel, for they had made no attempt
to escape.

"And the witnesses?" cried the judge. "I have the scoundrel who dashed
down the lamp."

"We have the other two here," replied voices.

"Then, gentlemen," said the judge, "I think we had better have another
trial in the open air. What