"I can't accept any such wager. I have no means of proving it, even if it is so."
"That's true, squire; but I'll give you an idea. Harry, how many Indians have you ever seen in your life?"
"About half a dozen," answered Harry, after a pause for reflection.
"And you, Jack?"
"I never saw one that I can remember."
"And yet you were both born in the States. You see, captain, Indians are not so abundant in our country as you supposed. Jack has never seen an Indian, but he has seen a bushranger; eh, Jack?"
"I have seen more than I wanted to," answered Jack, smiling.
By this time they had descended the hill, and were on the borders of the mining settlement. They had now attracted the attention of the miners, and when the prisoner was recognized there went up an angry shout, and a band of swarthy, bearded men advanced menacingly to meet them.
"Give him to us!" they cried. "Give up the murderer! We will make short work of him!"