Gerald began to realize that he was in a tight place, but he was a brave boy, and he had no intention of surrendering. He dodged quickly to one side, and dealt the intruder another blow on his head. This added to his fury, and he made a mad dash after Gerald. He finally seized him by the shoulder, and, with a violent push, threw him on the floor. Of course a boy's strength was no match for that of a robust man. Struggle as he might, Gerald was overpowered. The ruffian, with a cruel gleam in his eyes, seized the boy by the throat and tried to strangle him. Though the old man didn't know Gerald, he appreciated the fact that it was in trying to serve him that he had gotten into trouble. Had he possessed the requisite strength, or any strength at all, he would have gone to his assistance. The hardest thing was to lie helpless and see his brave young defender in danger of his life. He did what he could. He raised his feeble voice, calling, shrilly: "Help! help!" There seemed little chance of his cry being heard, but it is sometimes the unexpected that happens. When Gerald was very near the point of strangulation help came. The door flew open and two roughly dressed miners entered. "What's up? What's all this?" exclaimed the two miners as they stepped into the room. A glance about the cabin told the story. "I declare if it isn't the chap that was down to Loche's," said one of the men. "He's been robbing me," feebly whimpered the old man. "He's stolen my gold." The faces of the two men became stern. In a mining settlement robbing is a capital crime, and a thief has but a short shrift and a speedy passage to another world. When the two men entered, Ralph Nixon in alarm let go his hold on Gerald and rose to his feet. He saw that the tables were turned and that he was in danger. "What were you doing with that boy?" demanded one of the miners. "He struck me on the head, and I was teaching him a lesson." "Suppose we hear what he has to say?" Gerald, thus appealed to, answered: "I came into the cabin five minutes ago and found him robbing the old man, and I interfered." "So he was robbing the old man? Mr. Nixon, is this true?" "Yes," answered Thomas Nixon, feebly. "He has some of my gold pieces in his pocket." "Then he must unload. Seize him, Mike." The two miners seized Ralph in a powerful grasp, and turned his pockets inside out. They discovered about fifty gold coins. "What have you to say, you thief?" demanded one, sternly. "He gave them to me," answered Ralph, alarmed. "No, no; it isn't so," protested Thomas Nixon. "He took them out of yonder box. I tried to stop him, but it did no good. Then that brave boy came in and the rascal tried to murder him." "It's a clear case, Mike. What shall we do with him?" "We'll call a meeting of the boys, and then we'll decide." They seized Ralph, and proceeded to drag him off between them. "Uncle Thomas!" cried the terrified ruffian, "save me, save me!"