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 him on the road with his back toward the town, making the best time possible, arrested and brought into court. He did not deny the boy's claim, but affirmed that he had not the money to pay it.

"Constable," said Vail, "take that man and stand him on his head; then shake him well, and listen if you can hear anything drop."

The prisoner was seized and the test applied; when from his pocket dropped a bag containing $2,000 in gold dust, out of which was paid the boy's claim of $300. The alcalde then adjudged himself and the two constables one ounce each, and after weighing it the bag of gold-dust was handed back to the man, who was then permitted to take his departure.

Scott Bar, Siskiyou county, in 1851 aspired to the dignity of possessing a justice of the peace. The candidates were Bill Simmons and Buffalo John. The friends of each were sanguine. Money flew, whisky ran like water, and the excitement grew intense. Buffalo John was the popular candidate, and the boys elected him without a doubt; but the three men on the board of canvassers were pecuniarily interested in the election of Simmons. Their only hope of ever getting certain money which he owed them was by making him a justice, so they declared him elected. Their plea was that Buffalo John had such a habit of opening his mouth every time he crooked his elbow as would disqualify him from wearing the ermine. An attempt was made to contest the election, but the decision of the board was unchangeable, and Bill was installed, and continued to get deeper and deeper in debt to his old friends until 1859, when he rolled up his blankets and departed for parts unknown.

A Truckee jury had been out four hours when the judge sent the sheriff to ascertain if they had found a verdict. As he approached the room the sheriff