"Who took them?"
"The Ute."
"Why then did he not take your life and your scalp?" they asked in great surprise.
"He stunned me with a shot which I was not expecting; but he stunned me more when he refused the death I was expecting," said the brave.
[CHAPTER XXIX.—THE VERDICT AND SENTENCE.]
In order that the jury might think over and discuss the evidence against Mr. Willett and Hank Tims it was decided to leave them in full possession of the tent in which the trial was held.
"When you've got yer minds made up," said the man who had been acting as judge, "let me know, and I'll come in and pass sentence."
This fellow had started out to convict the accused men, and, as we have seen, he let slip no chance to impress his prejudices on the jury.
Collins and Si Brill with two others, who had been the original guards, took charge of the prisoners while the jury were making up their minds, though Badger insisted that he should have the prisoners in his keeping.
"If I ain't to have 'em," he protested, "whar was the good of 'lectin' me sheriff?"