Sergeant Machinson went up to Jim Dennis and said,—
'May I have a word with you?'
Jim looked surprised, but replied,—
'If you wish; but you can have little to say to me that I shall be pleased to hear.'
This did not lighten the sergeant's task or make it more pleasant, but he resolved to go through with it.
'I wish to state that I have done you an injustice and that my suspicions have been unfounded. I am sorry for what has happened and I know you have had nothing whatever to do with Dalton's gang. I will do all in my power to bring them to justice for making this attack on your place, and I hope you will lend us a hand in securing them. It will be a tough struggle, and some of us may not come out of it alive. Will you shake hands?' said Sergeant Machinson.
Jim Dennis had a kindly nature. He shook the sergeant's hand heartily and said,—
'I like to hear a man own up when he has been in the wrong. You have been hard on me, sergeant, but we will forget that. I will help you all I can. I have a score to settle with Abe Dalton and Rodney Shaw; they can be classed together now.'
A council of war was held at Wanabeen, after things had been put fairly straight, at which Adye Dauntsey presided.
He thought they had better lose no time, but attempt to take Abe Dalton and his gang at once. 'They will not leave Barker's Creek,' he said. 'It is their only safe place. There are eight of the police and four of us, if Silas Dixon will join us.'