WESTERN CATTLE LANDS. 349 



and was promptly seized with a fit, very much to her guest's 



dismay. He called in assistance and left her duly cared for. 



A report, started maliciously or idly, went round the little town 



to the effect that the girl had been ill-treated — and the occasion, 



happening at a time when one or two unpleasant cases had 



already roused high feeling, was not to be left unheeded. In 



short, in course of the evening, the young fellow found himself 



surrounded and seized by an angry mob, already armed with a 



rope, and with every intention of making short work of him. 



In vain he asserted innocence and requested a fair trial. No, 



nothing would do, but the girl's honour must be avenged and 



prompt justice enforced. Pulling himself together with a strong 



effort, he at last obtained a hearing, and made his words tell, 



" Look here, men, I'm no coward, and I'm not afraid to die. 



Take me before the girl — and if she says I ever insulted her 



by word or deed, do what you like with me !" For a moment 



it looked as if they would not listen even to this : and the 



leader of the party even gave the word to " bring him along to 



the tree" — till one of the roughest of his captors spoke up to 



the boss, " Bill, I'll be no party to a job of this kind. Bring 



him before the girl and let her clear him, or hang him." The 



tide turned, and fairplay carried the day. The young Eno-lish- 



man, surrounded by his accusers, was taken directly to the 



woman herself. " Why, certainly No — Not by a word ! " was 



her answer as to whether " this man had attacked or insulted 



her." "Well, pardner, I guess we'll just loose you. Let's 



liquor ! " And with these words the Englishman was free. 



But after this adventure he cared little for his adopted home, 



and put a speedy end to his residence in a city wherein the 



forms of jurisdiction were so dangerously primitive. 



