ominous words. He knew something of the wild, stern justice of those
days. He knew that more than one for an offense like his had
expiated his crime with his life.

"It seems to me," said the leader, "that the man he injured should
fix the penalty. Say you so?"

"Aye, aye!" shouted the miners.

"Will you two," turning to Joe and Bickford, "decide what shall be
done with this man? Shall we string him up?"

The Pike man's nerve gave way.

He flung himself on his knees before Joshua and cried:

"Mercy! mercy! Don't let them hang me!"

Joshua was not hard-hearted. He consulted with Joe and then said:

"I don't want the critter's life. If there was any wild-cats round,
I'd like to see him tackle his weight in 'em, as he says he can. As
there isn't, let him be tied on the old nag he put off on me, with
his head to the horse's tail, supplied with one day's provisions, and
then turned loose!"

This sentence was received with loud applause and laughter.

The horse was still in camp and was at once brought out. The man
from Pike was securely tied on as directed, and then the poor beast