bable. Let the heathen rage; was he not strong in his position, and could he not smile at all attempts to brow-beat or convince him? Of course he was, and he did. Old Put, seeing that it was useless to attempt to argue the matter and determined not to be robbed, refused to come down with the money, and drew out of the case, advising Pike to substitute Major Hoyt as his counsel, and go on with the trial. Pike took his advice, went on with the case, proved as clear as the sunlight at mid-day that he was in the right, and then listened in blank astonishment to a decision in favor of his opponents from the Judge. Thereupon Pike and his counsel withdrew and talked the matter over outside. The decision was clearly an outrage, and in utter defiance of justice and the law; but what could they do? The Major advised an appeal and, Pike consenting, he returned and made in open court his notice to that effect.
"Not if this honorable court knows herself! That thing is played out. We don't allow any more appeals from this tribunal. That's our new rule, and we're goin' to stand by it every time after this," was the prompt and decided answer of the "Chief Justice." The astonished counsel attempted to argue the illegality of such a rule, but desisted on the threat of a fine for contempt of court, and, considerably crestfallen, withdrew again to consult with his client. Pike wanted to know if that was the end of the matter, and he must quietly submit to be ruined in that infamous way. The Major told him that there was but one way now left him to obtain a remedy, and as
