"I was the leader of the miners, sir," Ross replied, firmly.
"You own it, do you? Hand me your gun."
Ross complied with the command.
"Is it loaded?" the colonel asked.
"Yes, sir," was the brief response.
"Then I will discharge it for you," the military despot said.
He cocked the piece, placed it within two feet of the Canadian's breast, and fired. The unhappy man sprang into the air, threw his arms wildly over his head, and fell a corpse, a bullet having entered his heart.