"They will," glared Humpy; "if you'll agree to abide by the decision of the majority."
"I've always found I had to do that; so I usually fixed the majority."
McShay's imperturbability was irresistible.
"Now, I've mostly presided at functions like this, but I ain't a-pushin' my claims. Who do you want fer judge? Show of hands—who's fer me?"
Up went the hands of the two faithful retainers, Orson and Silent, and Mike saw that his effort to stampede the proceedings was late, perhaps too late. Before the "opposed" were called for there was a concerted shout for Kal.
"Majorities are always wrong," commented the experienced McShay; "you git it, Kal."
Kal took his seat on the bench where he had lately been the prisoner and Hal and Bill sat in the centre of the motley group of men who were accusers, witnesses, jurymen, and executioners.
Perhaps there have been times and conditions when Judge Lynch served a useful purpose, but even when the judge happened by accident to be right, the resulting demoralization must have been worse than the initial crimes. Now that McShay had entered the arena, Ladd retired to the outskirts of the crowd and, having fired the house, was content to stand by and see it burn.
"I got to have an office," said McShay. "Not gittin' judge, I'm attorney for the defence."
"All right," said the judge, getting quickly to business. "You have first innin's. How do you come to know mor'n and better'n us?"