fight it out with guns and pistols. Such a case occurred within the classic walls of the round tent shortly after its proprietor had assumed the responsibilities of office.
Timothy Loker brought suit against Amber John — one of the positive and usually popular characters of the camp, so styled from the peculiar color of his somewhat wrinkled skin—for extending his claim up the side of the ravine beyond the limits allowed by the regulations, so as to include part of a spot staked off by one of Loker's men, for the mutual benefit of himself and his employer.
The case came up during the quiet hours of the afternoon while the miners were yet at work, and the town indulging in a semi-siesta preparatory to its nocturnal awakening. Behind a monte-table in the now well-nigh deserted tent sat the judge, ermined in the only coat the camp could boast, with the litigants before him.
It was evident from the beginnnig that Amber John was angry, and on his metal. Miners' justice was good enough for him. In five minutes the crowd at work out in the ravine could determine the rig^ht and wronoof it without all this round-tent clap-trap, and if that decision did not suit, they had only to fight it out. He didn't believe, in courts; they were useless, and a nuisance, but for once he would try it and see how it worked.
First of all he demanded that Loker should give security for costs of suit. If he wanted law, he would give him law; besides, he didn't believe any white man would go bail for the onery cuss. Loker, however, easily and cheerfully procured the required security, clinching the character of his bondsman as he laid the paper on the table by quietly adding, " who is well known to be in the round-tent interest."
It was now the defendant's turn to go through the same process and file his security, but when this was demanded of him he declined, coolly remarking that
