At this command, Jim met the first rebellion against his authority.
“Go outside yourself. It is you who have brought all this upon us. You shot him through the shoulder; you proposed capturing him, and it was you who fell asleep last night and let him escape.”
Jim did not combat their charges.
“All right,” he said. “I’ll go out, and you sit here and shiver while I enjoy a little conversation with him.”
Raising his hands above his head, Dean stepped across the threshold into the open, and stood like an oriental about to begin his prayers. He saw at once the wall that had been built during the night, and then caught sight of Stranleigh standing behind it. Pulling out a white handkerchief, and waving it, Dean proceeded towards the mine.
“Have you got a revolver?” shouted Stranleigh.
“No,” answered Dean.
“Then put down your hands, and approach as a Christian should.”
Jim obeyed.
“Now stand where you are,” said Stranleigh, when the other was within four or five yards of the wall. “I see your ear is bleeding. That was rather a neat shot of mine, don’t you think?”