“We will have no rowdyism, no crimes against our little society, while we toil for our gold.”
“Hear, hear!”
“We have already bound ourselves to carry on our home-made laws here, so that every man can bring in his winnings and place them with the landlord, or leave them in his hut or tent, knowing that they are safe; and we are agreed that the man who robs one of us of his gold shall suffer for his crime, the same as if he had committed a murder.”
“That’s right, judge—that’s right!” was roared.
“Very well, then,” said the judge. “I have one word to say to those who have raised their voices several times to-night. Let me tell them that if they are not satisfied with our ideas of fair play, they had better pack their sledges and go right away.”
“Likely!” shouted a man at the back; “and what about our claims we have staked out?”
“Let them be valued by a jury of six a-side, and I’ll give the casting vote if it’s a tie. We’ll club together and buy, you shall have good honest value, and then you can go farther afield. There’s plenty for everybody, and the country’s open. If you don’t agree to that and elect to stay, you must side with us and keep the law. Now then, who says he’ll go?”
“None of us, jedge,” came in a slow drawl. “You’re right, and whether this is Murrican or Canady land, we all back you up.”
There was a deafening shout at this, and as soon as silence came again the dark man said firmly, “Now, gentlemen, to settle the business on hand. We’re not going to make the Yukon gold region a close borough.”
“That’s right, jedge,” said an American.