"I don't see yet where I've done you any particular favor: from robbers to Vigilance Committee might be called an up-to-date version of 'Out of the frying-pan into the fire.'" The boy glanced fearfully toward the closed tent-flaps.

"Ssh!" he whispered.

"The guard can hear--" "Oh, that's all right," returned Jack, urged perhaps to a conscious bravado by the very weakness of the other.

"It's all day with me, anyway.

I may as well say what I think.
"And so--" He paused to blow one of his favorite little smoke rings and watch it float to the dingy ridge-pole, where it flickered and faded into a blue haze "-- and so, I'm going to say right out in meeting what I think of this town and the Committee they let measure out justice.