Is it worth it? Be men. You have been the
aggressors. There isn't one of you but feels that justice which is the
boast of every man of the West. You wanted to avenge the crime of this
morning. But the vengeance is the law's.--Stand back--Stand back!" he
said, and drew his revolver, as the leader of the river-drivers stepped
forward. "I will kill the first man that tries to lay his hand upon my
prisoner. Don't be mad. I am not one man, I am a whole country."
I shall never forget the thrill that passed through me as I saw a man
who, but a handful of months before, was neck deep in his grave, now
blossomed out into a strong, defiant soldier.
There was a pause. At last the leader of the river-drivers spoke. "See,"
he said, "Sergeant, I guess you're right. You're a man, so help me! Say,
boys," he continued, turning to his followers, "let him have the Injin. I
guess he's earned him."
So saying he wheeled, the men with him, and they tramped up the slope
again on their way back to Viking. The man who had achieved this turned
upon the fishers.
"Back to your homes!" he said. "Be thankful that blood was not shed here
to-night, and let this be a lesson to you.
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