There was no window through which they could get Miller out, and there was no knowing how long the frail hut could resist the weight of the tree.

Suddenly a well-known voice was heard shouting;

“Keep your head level, Miller, old chap—­we’ll hev you out of that in no time.  Hurry up, somebody, and borrow the barkeeper’s ropes.  While I’m cuttin’, throw a rope over the top, and when she commences to go, haul all together and suddenly, then ’twill clear the hut.”

In an instant later the boys saw, by the bright moonlight, the captain, bareheaded, barefooted, with open shirt, standing on the tree directly over the crushed gable, and chopping with frantic rapidity.

“Hooray for cap’en!” shouted some one.

“Hooray!” replied the crowd, and a feeble “hooray"’ was heard from between the logs of old Miller’s hut.

Two or three men came hurrying back with the ropes, and one of them was dexterously thrown across a branch of the tree.  Then the boys distributed themselves along both ends of the rope.

“Easy!” screamed the captain.  “Plenty of time.  I’ll give the word.  When I say, ‘Now,’ pull quick and all together.  I won’t be long.”

And big chips flew in undiminished quantity, while a commendatory murmur ran along both lines of men, and Whitey, the chief, knelt with his lips to one of the chinks of the hut, and assured old Miller that he was perfectly safe.

“Now!” shrieked the captain, suddenly.

In his excitement, he stepped toward the top instead of the root of the tree; in an instant the top of the tree was snatched from the hut, but it tossed the unfortunate captain into the air as easily as a sling tosses a stone.

Every one rushed to the spot where he had fallen.  They found him senseless, and carried him to the saloon, where the candles were already lighted.  One of the miners, who had been a doctor, promptly examined his bruises, and exclaimed: 

“He’s two or three broken ribs, that’s all.  It’s a wonder he didn’t break every bone in his body.  He’ll be around all right inside of a month.”

“Gentlemen,” said Whitey, “I resign.  All in favor of the cap’en will please say ‘I.’”

“I,” replied every one.

“I don’t put the noes,” continued Whitey, “because I’m a peaceable man, and don’t want to hev to kick any man mean enough to vote no.  Cap’en, you’r boss of this camp, and I’m yourn obediently.”

The captain opened his eyes slowly, and replied: 

“I’m much obliged, boys, but I won’t give Whitey the trouble.  Doctor’s mistaken—­there’s someting broken inside, and I haven’t got many minutes more to live.”

“Do yer best, cap’en,” said the barkeeper, encouragingly.  “Promise me you’ll stay alive, and I’ll go straight down to ’Frisco, and get you all the champagne you can drink.”

“You’re very kind,” replied the captain, faintly; “but I’m sent for, and I’ve got to go.  I’ve left the East to make my mark, but I didn’t expect to make it in real estate.  Whitey, I was a fool for wanting to be chief of Black Hat, and you’ve forgiven me like a gentleman and a Christian.  It’s getting dark—­I’m thirsty—­I’m going—­gone!”