"It's the truth," soberly affirmed Poynter. "I have never committed a deed against the law, to my knowledge, in my life."
"But the evidence?"
"Was one tissue of falsehood from first to last! Why it was started, or who was the one who planned it, I know no more than you do; but I will find out if it takes a lifetime," hotly exclaimed Poynter.
"Hello, my friends, what's up here?" asked the leader, falling back beside the two men, at the sound of Poynter's excited tones. "Not quarreling, I hope?"
"No, sir, I owe him too much for that," warmly responded Poynter. "But, are you the captain?"
"For the time being, I am. Why?" said the man, somewhat surprised at the other's tone.
"Then I must speak with you, for a moment."
"Go on; I have no secrets from Jack."
"Well," slowly uttered Poynter, "from what I have heard, I believe you labor under a serious mistake, regarding who and what I am."
"How so?" interrupted the leader. "Are not you the man that the vigilance committee arrested and condemned?"