coyote, an' ten to one he won't hev no shootin' irons, so the job'll hev
to be done with fists."

"Good!" said Mose. "The crowd drinks with me to a square job, and no
backin'. Chuck the pasteboards, jedge--The--dickens!" For Mose had got
first Jack.

"Square job, and no backin'," said the judge, with a grin. "There's the
stage now--hurry up, fellers!"

The stage drew up with a crash in front of The Nugget, and the
passengers, outside and in, but none looking teacherish, hurried into
the saloon. The boys scarcely knew whether to swear from disappointment
or gratification, when a start from Mose drew their attention again to
the stage. On the top step appeared a small shoe, above which was
visible a small section of stocking far whiter and smaller than is usual
in the mines. In an instant a similar shoe appeared on the lower step,
and the boys saw, successively, the edge of a dress, a waterproof cloak,
a couple of small gloved hands, a bright muffler, and a pleasant face
covered with brown hair, and a bonnet. Then they heard a cheerful voice
say:

"I'm the teacher, gentlemen--can any one show me the schoolhouse?"

The miserable Mose looked ghastly, and tottered. A suspicion of a wink
graced the judge's eye, but he exclaimed in a stern, low tone: "Square
job, an' no backin'," upon which Mose took to his heels and the
Placerville trail.

The judge had been a married man, so he promptly answered: