fingers on your gun hand."

"That's it! They all tell me that--all the old-timers; but I don't
know what to do. I thought I did--but I don't. The law has come
into this country and I've tried to meet it half-way. They jumped
us and put in a receiver--a big man--by the name of McNamara. Dex
wasn't there and I let them do it. When the old man learned of it
he nearly went crazy. We had our first quarrel. He thought I was
afraid--"

"Not he," said the girl. "I know him and he knows you."

"That was a week ago. We've hired the best lawyer in Nome--Bill
Wheaton--and we've tried to have the injunction removed. We've
offered bond in any sum, but the Judge refuses to accept it. We've
argued for leave to appeal, but he won't give us the right. The
more I look into it the worse it seems, for the court wasn't
convened in accordance with law, we weren't notified to appear in
our own behalf, we weren't allowed a chance to argue our own case-
-nothing. They simply slapped on a receiver, and now they refuse
to allow us redress. From a legal stand-point, it's appalling, I'm
told--but what's to be done? What's the game? That's the thing.
What are they up to? I'm nearly out of my mind, for it's all my
fault. I didn't think it meant anything like this or I'd have made
a fight for possession and stood them off at least. As it is, my
partner's sore and he's gone to drinking--first time in twelve
years. He says I gave the claim away, and now it's up to me and
the Almighty to get it back. If he gets full he'll drive a four-
horse wagon into some church, or go up and pick the Judge to
pieces with his fingers to see what makes him go round."