The assembled miners did not dare to interfere, for fear their licenses would be forfeited by the government commissioner. Therefore no murmuring was heard.
"Prize fighting, hey?" cried the sergeant of the force. "Away with them to the prison."
"Had you not better investigate first, Mr. Sergeant," I said, touching his arm.
He looked me full in the face, and I recognized the man as one whom we had met the day before, upon our return from Snakes' Paradise. His bold, confident air instantly deserted him, and he was as civil as I could desire.
"O, I beg your pardon, sir—I did not see you before," he said, touching his cap, with a military salute. "What can I do to serve you, sir?"
"You have my friend in custody. Of course, you recollect all the instructions of the inspector."
"To be sure I do, sir. I think that there must be some mistake here, and will instantly set him at liberty; but the miner who has dared to strike him shall be punished."
"That is unnecessary, as he has already been handled rather roughly," I said; and in a few words I explained to the policemen the origin of the affair.
"Ah, yes, I see, you were quite right in what you have done, and I regret that I didn't arrive on the ground before, to have saved you this annoyance. Release that gentleman," the sergeant said, turning to his men. "He is a friend of the inspector's."
The men obeyed without a word in opposition, and the crowd took courage at the sight, and attempted a feeble applause.