Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-07-04
CHAPTER K.
THE MAJESTY or TIE Law.

NuaflEh ~
THE MAJESTY or THE Law.
When that early riser. the laughing
uckass. crashed into the tender spirit
of the dawn with its discordant cachin-
nation, sprang from my bed Of dried
grass. over which my blanket had been
placed. and went down to the river.
Then found Barney and boiled my
quart pot under the leafy Moreton bay
ash that did service as my rooftree.
The air was as yet comparatively cool
and pleasant. September being only a
spring month A ghostly. gauzelike
mist rose from the river and crept lin
geringly from tree TO tree The tawny
yellow in the east changed TO azure.
and rs the white quivering sun rose
above the tree tops. the dew sparkled
ON the grass as IL n shower Of fine dia-
monds had fallen.
had In great measure shaken Oh
the effects Of the fever. and as conse-
quence my spirits were acquiring their
old buoyancy. Once more ] was appre-
ciating the beauty. the freshness and
the freedom Of life in the Australian
bush.
Having finished breakfast. went
over to the police barracks and saw
Jack. He had recovered much Of his
coolness and self confidence by this
time. There was look Of quiet deter
mination on his face, refreshing TO see
after his apathy Of yesterday 1 knew
now that he meant to fight
'I've been digesting what You spoke
Of yesterday" he said. $50 II You want
to sup wi the dell get ont your long
est shankit spuin. You want TO look
out. though. and not burn your tongue
II you think yon can stand the old chap
of with what you already know, you
can be master Of ceremonies in my case.
but look ont for your tongue. You I'M
derstandf'
About 0 o'clock Daily drove mp in the
station wagon with Elsie, the rest mr.
irving on horseback Wcpitched tent
for the women near the river by group
of acacias. within convenient reach Of
the courthouse Gordon. / discovered,
knew mach more than had given him
credit for. Being quiet. cool. long
headed Scot. he had provided for GER
tain contingencies that mede me In
dulge in considerable speculation.
At 10 o'clock began 10 get little
nervous. We were now all gathered to-
sether in the large marquee tent. with
the sides looped mp, and alongside the
unfinished courthouse. which was not
yet available for use. There were two
women present, the publican's wife and
her sister. They were accommodated
with chairs A large table, behind and
around which were ranged several camp
stools. stood at one end of the tent. and
occupying the body Of the court was
the truly noteworthy public. Contrasted
with the hilarious appearance some OF
che individuals composing il presented
on the previous evening their present
staid demeanor bordered ON the fu-
nereal A clear space was left between
the magistrates table and the apprecia-
tive little crowd q spectators There
was not one coat in the company, and
no one dreamed Of removing his hat
Some Of them had washed. some had
postponed washing, and Others again.
judging by appearances had evidently
forgotten that there was such thing
In the world as water, or at least feared
that its use might interfere with the
liquor they were just then assimilating
into their systems. Several had well
defined halos Of black and blue encir-
cling their eyes and suggested new
species of rock. OF these rings the hap
DIV possessors were doubtless proud. tes-
tifying as they did to their powers OF
endurance in another kind Of ring.
The face Of one man resembled that
Of Maori chief being fantastically
tattooed with sticking plaster. Some
had comical. maudlin. bleary look
and blinked like owls in the sunlight.
Evidently they had been already allay-
ing the considerable thirst engendered
by the libations of the night before In
a thorough and conscientious manner.
In fact. during the progress OF the trial
it was customary. for several OF the
aforesaid thirsty individuals to leave
the tent quietly by turns and adjourn
TO Q certain hollow tree in the bush,
from which they came back looking re-
freshed and az innocent as the circum-
stances permitted.
In the background. hanging round
the tent, was the mob Of blacks already
referred to. They exempli6ed the child.