346 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



" holding up " of men carrying their gold to a distance, and, in 

 fact, the obtaining forcible possession of what belonged to 

 others, even if the six-shooter or the repeating rifle had to 

 be the medium of acquirement. 



It so happened that, as the almost daily record of crime 

 rose to its fullest pitch, one of the leading syndicates fitted 

 out a well-tried teamster to do their " hauling," with a high- 

 priced mule-team and wagon and with harness in keeping. 

 Dave the Dutchman was claimed to be able to hold his own 

 on the road with most men. But Dave disappeared in his 

 first trip ; and neither mules nor wagon could be heard of, 

 till at length it was rumoured they had been sold within the 

 territory by someone other than Dave. That there had been 

 foul play was soon afterwards curiously confirmed. A traveller 

 chanced to shoot a grouse by the roadside, and the bird fell 

 actually on the body — of Dave, in the bush ! A bullet had 

 gone through him ; and a lariat from a saddle-pommel had 

 served to drag him out of sight of passers-by. Suspicion, and 

 eventually certainty, pointed to one Ives, a ruffian who had 

 long defied and outraged such law as had been extemporised. 

 But the blood of the camp was now up. A dozen bold fellows 

 volunteered as sheriffs : and strong hands were laid upon Ives, 

 when a row of gleaming guns had shown him that resistance 

 was no use. A jury of miners was summoned, a judge elected, 

 and the trial fixed for next day. Colonel Sanders was sent 

 for from Banner, the neighbouring camp, and rode in to take 

 the part of attorney for the prosecution. Ives's special gang 

 were as wealthy as they were determined. They too knew 

 of the Colonel's reputation ; and had the strongest belief in 

 the efficacy of a practised advocate. So they too had sent 

 their messenger to Banner, and when Sanders appeared they 

 hailed him as coming to succour their partner. " Ten thousand 

 dollars in gold, Colonel, when you've pulled him through," they 

 shouted. But the Colonel was one of those whose minds were 

 made up that a stop should be put to the savagery of the 

 district — and, moreover, was one who feared neither " bad 



