slow years had injured it. The men contemplated the treasure awhile in
blissful silence.
Pard, there s thousands of dollars here, said Injun Joe.
Twas always said that Murrel s gang used to be around here one
summer, the stranger observed.
I know it, said Injun Joe; and this looks like it, I should say.
Now you won t need to do that job.
The halfbreed frowned. Said he:
You don t know me. Least you don t know all about that thing. Tain t
robbery altogether it s _revenge_! and a wicked light flamed in his
eyes. I ll need your help in it. When it s finished then Texas. Go home
to your Nance and your kids, and stand by till you hear from me.
Well if you say so; what ll we do with this bury it again?
Yes. [Ravishing delight overhead.] _No_! by the great Sachem, no!
[Profound distress overhead.] I d nearly forgot. That pick had fresh
earth on it! [The boys were sick with terror in a moment.] What business
has a pick and a shovel here? What business with fresh earth on
them? Who brought them here and where are they gone? Have you heard
anybody? seen anybody? What! bury it again and leave them to come and
see the ground disturbed? Not exactly not exactly. We ll take it to my
den.
Why, of course! Might have thought of that before. You mean Number
One?
No Number Two under the cross. The other place is bad too common.
All right. It s nearly dark enough to start.
Injun Joe got up and went about from window to window cautiously peeping
out. Presently he said:
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