The Captain cleared his throat. When he spoke again, he addressed the
twelve before him:

"Gentlemen of the jury, I have reasons for feeling convinced that
this young man is in part telling the truth. I am acquainted with his
father, unless he has given a name he does not own--and his face is
a pretty good witness for him; he looks like his dad. While he has
undoubtedly glossed and warped the story of the shooting in a mistaken
effort to make things look better for the man who did the killing, I
can see no sufficient reason for holding him. This Committee stands
for justice and is not backward about tempering it with mercy.
Gentlemen of the jury, I recommend that John Belden be released from
custody and permitted to go home. He was unarmed when I took him, and
there is no evidence of his having dealt anything but hard words to
the victims of the shooting. Gentlemen, you will give your verdict;
after which we will proceed with the investigation."

The jury looked at one another and nodded to the man on the end of
the first bunk; and he, shifting a quid of tobacco to the slack of his
right cheek, expectorated gravely into the sand and spoke solemnly:

"The verdict of the jury is all in favor of turnin' the kid loose."

"John Belden, you are released. And we'd advise you to be a little
careful how you sass men in this country. Also, you better see about
that ticket on the _Mary Elizabeth_. Jack Allen, you may come forward
and take the oath."

"This box is just as comfortable as that one," said Jack, "and you
needn't worry but what I'll tell the truth!" He took a last pull at