him, we turned our attention to the wounded.  The barn had been turned into a hospital, and in two hours we had a dozen sore heads well cared for, and their owners comfortably placed for the night on soft hay covered by blankets from the Inn.  Mrs. French brought tea and gruels for the thirsty, feverish fellows, and we placed Otto and the big Irishman on duty as nurses for the night.  The coroner had been summoned, and arrived as we finished our work.  He was an energetic official, and lost no time in getting a jury of six to listen to the statements which the wounded men would give.  To their credit be it said that every one who gave testimony at all, gave it to the effect that the miners were crazy-drunk, that they stopped the carriage, provoked the fight, and did their utmost to disable or destroy the enemy.  The coroner would listen to no further testimony, but gave the case to the jury.  In five minutes their verdict was returned, “justifiable and commendable homicide by person unknown to the jury.”

The news of a fight and the death of a miner had reached Gordonville, where it created intense excitement.  By the time the inquest was over a crowd of at least fifty miners had collected near the barn.  Much grumbling and some loud threats were heard.  Jackson took it upon himself to meet these angry men, and no one could have done better.  Stepping upon a box which raised him a foot or two above the crowd, he said:—­

“See here, fellows, I want to say a word to you.  My name’s Jackson—­Bill Jackson; perhaps some of you know me.  If you don’t, I’ll introduce myself.  I wasn’t in this fight,—­worse luck for me! but I am wide open for engagements in that line.  Some one inside said that this gang must be conciliated, and I thought I would come out and do it.  I understand that you feel sore over this affair,—­it’s natural that you should,—­but you must remember that those boys out at Four Oaks couldn’t accommodate all of you.  If you wouldn’t mind taking me for a substitute, I’ll do my level best to make it lively for you.  You don’t need cards of introduction to me; you needn’t be American citizens; you needn’t speak English; all you have to do is to put up your hands or cock your hats, and I’ll know what you mean.  If any of you thinks he hasn’t had his share of what’s been going on this afternoon, he may just call on Bill Jackson for the balance.  I want to conciliate you if I can!  I’m a good-tempered man, and not the kind to pick a quarrel; but if any of you low-lived dogs are looking for a fight, I’m not the man to disappoint you!  I came out here to satisfy you in this matter and to send you home contented, and, by the jumping Jews!  I’ll do it if I have to break the head of every dog’s son among you!  They told me to speak gently to you, and by thunder, I’ve done it; but now I’m going to say a word for myself!

“A lot of your dirty crowd attacked two of the decentest men in the county when they were riding with ladies; one of the gang got killed and the rest got their skulls cracked.  Would these boys fight for the girls they had with them?  Hell’s blazes!  I’ll fight for just thinking of it!  Just one of you duffers say ‘boo’ to me!  I’m going right through you!”