Randall had the plans all made, and he detailed them rapidly. We were to arrest four men only, and he named 356 them–Morton, Scar-face Charley, who had recovered, a gambler named Catlin, and Jules, the proprietor of the Empire.
“Crawford is back in town,” said some one.
“Make it five then,” said Danny instantly.
We had a long discussion over all this. Many other names were suggested. Danny agreed that they were those of men guilty of the worst crimes, but maintained that the first thing to do was to get hold of the real leaders, the brains and motive power of the gang. The five first designated filled that description.
“Can we really prove anything against them?” asked someone.
“No,” said Danny instantly, “we cannot. Does any one here think any of them guiltless? Consult your consciences, gentlemen. I agree with you that it is a fearful thing to take a man’s life. Vote carefully. Consult your consciences.”
We balloted at last on each name separately, and the five leaders were condemned to death.
Next came up the vital questions of ways and means. Many were in favour of a night surprise, and an immediate hanging before the desperadoes could be organized for defence. Danny had a hard time showing them good reasons against this course, but at last he succeeded.
“This must be done deliberately and publicly,” he maintained. “Otherwise it fails of its effect. We’ve got to show the gang that the camp is against them; and that won’t be done by hanging some of them secretly.”
“Suppose the camp doesn’t back us up?” queried a miner.