"And I'll stick by you, no fear of that, leastwise till I get my share of the swag, and then I think I'll marry and try to lead a more decentish life than I have been doin'——"
Badger was stopped in his statement of good resolutions by a loud cheer coming from the hotel.
"Halloo! what's that?" asked Shirley.
"It must be the vardict; let us go and see," replied Badger, and he at once started off in the direction of the noise, followed by his nervous employer.
Badger was right in his guess.
The jury had sent out word that they had agreed on a verdict.
The preceding excitement was great, but it was calmness itself compared with that that stirred the miners when it became known that the jury were ready to report.
From the bar and the tents and huts round about men poured into the place of trial.
Badger had to run to get up in time, for he did not see how business could go on without the presence of the sheriff.
Mr. Willett and Hank Tims sat in the place they had occupied during the trial.