"
"A _coup d'etat_!" was the Baron's verdict. "Magnificent! Ah! I feel
warm all over at the thought. 'Hands up!' I cry, thus, and very fierce.
"And if they do not hold up their hands?" he appealed to Jacob Welse.
"Then shoot. Never bluff when you're behind a gun, Courbertin. It's
held by good authorities to be unhealthy."
"And you are to take charge of La Bijou, Vance," Frona said. "Father
thinks there will be little ice to-morrow if it doesn't jam to-night.
All you've to do is to have the canoe by the bank just before the door.
Of course, you won't know what is happening until St. Vincent comes
running. Then in with him, and away you go--Dawson! So I'll say
good-night and good-by now, for I may not have the opportunity in the
morning."
"And keep the left-hand channel till you're past the bend," Jacob Welse
counselled him; "then take the cut-offs to the right and follow the
swiftest water. Now off with you and into your blankets. It's seventy
miles to Dawson, and you'll have to make it at one clip."
CHAPTER XXVIII
Jacob Welse was given due respect when he arose at the convening of the
miners' meeting and denounced the proceedings. While such meetings had
performed a legitimate function in the past, he contended, when there
was no law in the land, that time was now beyond recall; for law was
now established, and it was just law.
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