I explained
at once, waving back some of the fisher-men who were clamouring about me,
that I had nothing whatever to do with the quarrel; that I happened to be
where I was by accident, as I had happened by accident to see the
difficulty of the morning. But I said that it was the duty of every man
who was a good citizen and respected the laws of his country, to see, in
so far as it was possible, that there should be no breach of those laws.
I spoke in a clear strong voice, and I think I produced some effect upon
both parties to the quarrel. The reply of the leader was almost
immediate. He said that all they demanded was the Indian who had so
treacherously injured the foreman of their gangs. I saw the position at
once, and was dumfounded. For a moment I did not speak.
I was not prepared for the scene that immediately followed. Some one
broke through the crowd at my back, rushed past me, and stood between the
two forces. It was the Indian who had injured the foreman. He was naked
to the waist, and painted and feathered after the manner of his tribe
going to battle. There was a wild light in his eye, but he had no weapon.
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