To perish with the sword in defense of home and friends may
be a sacred duty. If I have any quarrel with the Californians it is not
with their courage and daring. These were exemplary. And if it is right
to defend one's life, it is right to defend one's property, by means of
which life is supported.
But the dead men sleep soundly there on the hill, unmindful of praise or
blame, and old man Palmer, himself in a pauper's grave by the Middle
Yuba, robbed in his turn, and by a trusted friend, tells no tales, for
he sleeps serenely.
CHAPTER X
The Travels of John Keeler
John Keeler had found his friend the sheriff at the Citizens' Bank,
putting up money on a bet that Cummins' murderers would not be caught
within a year. Sheriff Carter was dealing in futures, as it were.
Nothing would have pleased him better than to lay hands on those
highwaymen; but,--thoroughly discouraged at the outlook,--like a true
sportsman he enjoyed the humor of betting against himself in the vague
hope that such action might lead to something. He was more than pleased
to see Keeler, whose mysterious air clearly indicated that something was
up.
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