ten years, and
not one murderer had been hanged so far,--he would rescue Mamie from the
demoralization of the gold fields and take her to live in St. Louis or
New Orleans. And now he saw with some satisfaction that her apparent
complicity in the crime would make life hard for her in Nevada City and
impel her to accept such a proposal.

It might have been just as well if the rattlesnake coiled in his path at
that moment had ended his existence, but the snake was indeed an
honorable highwayman, and sounded a gentlemanly warning in the nick of
time. Collins would have killed it for its pains, but killing had upset
his nerves that day. So he left the reptile to try its fangs on a better
man. Besides, he reflected that he could not consistently advocate
capital punishment, and he sincerely hoped that his humane sentiments
would spread in California. He recalled the fact that there was a strong
party among the good people of the State, represented by several ladies
who had brought him bouquets and jellies when he was in jail, who were
trying to abolish capital punishment. Judging from Doc Mason's
experience in murder cases, the efforts of these good people were not
called for. And yet the law as it stood had unpleasant possibilities for
Collins.

He was really sorry about Cummins. Of course, Cummins was a fool. A man
of such character would not miss a few thousand dollars in the long run.
What a fool he had been to risk his life! Of course, he, Collins, had
risked his life, too. But how different were the two cases! Cummins had
rich friends who would help him; Collins had no friends, barring a few
silly women. His long suit was women. He really regretted Cummins' death
more on Mamie's account than for any other reason.

Poor Mamie! But it must be the gold and not the girl this trip. When he
had invested his capital and made his pile, he would play the prince to
his Cinderella. They would both be glad to flee this country. Bah! the
very soil was red! Golden blossoms sprung from it, but the roots were
fed with blood. Collins was a young fellow, by no means a hardened
criminal, and the excitement of the day stimulated intellect and emotion
like the drug of a Chinaman.

He reached Dutch Flat in due season, and found several old cronies at
the railroad station, where people were discussing the death of Cummins.
He succeeded in showing the due amount of interest and no more, and was
diplomatic enough not to suggest that the mu