"Then me an' Brill will be in for punishin them as much as any man in your gang. Meantime it might be better if you fellers shut down on drinkin'."
With this very sensible opinion Collins and Brill, each active and tall and with a rifle at his back, started off in the direction of their dugout.
They told Mr. Willett and Hank Tims what had happened, and Brill added:
"You're purty safe for three days, Mr. Willett, yet if I was you I don't think I'd leave this place or run the risk of meeting any of the gang drunk."
These miners, like all brave fellows, were gentle and generous to the two men whom they took pains to treat as guests, so that they might forget that they were prisoners.
The day following the events just narrated the man who had been sent by the vigilantes to Gold Cave Camp to hurry up Sam Willett with the all-important paper, came back on a weary horse, bringing with him a very startling report.
The instant he dismounted before the canvas hotel he was greeted from all sides by queries like these:
"Got back, Ned?"
"Wot's the news?"
"Whar's the boy?"