"There are ugly crowds," said the Lieutenant-Governor, "in all parts of Black Elk Territory. Major Adair sentenced forty men today."
"He'll sentence lots more if this trouble goes on," suggested the politician.
"I don't anticipate it," Hector answered.
"You don't!" Molyneux looked moderately surprised. "But—consider it: This claim-jumping at Lake Miner—this unrest on the creeks——"
"Yes," said one of the nondescripts, a German, "der unrest on der creeks! Growls aboud der royalty on der gold ad Bioneer Lake! Intimerdation hof der regorder ad Lucky! Der meeting of brodest at Nugget! D'reats hof violence on Discovery idself! Vat do you make of dat, Major Adair?"
"Nothing to be alarmed at," Hector declared.
"You don't think it's—" the Rev. began.
"The rumblings of a volcano?" Molyneux finished.
"No, I don't," said Hector.
"Phew! I'm glad to hear it," said an American nondescript. "It looks just a little suspicious. But you ought to know."