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 English- 

 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. 



