Page 164 - In A New World

"The nugget you found wasn't quite so valuable," returned Ropes grimly.

"No; I tugged away for nothing. My arms and shoulders are stiff enough
this morning. And now the nugget is out of our reach."

"But not the three hundred pounds," said Ropes significantly.

"The price of the claim?"

"Yes."

"That's true, but it won't do us any good."

"The Yankee will carry that with him. It's worth trying for."

The suggestion seemed to strike Colson favorably. The two held a
whispered consultation, which seemed to yield mutual satisfaction. They

were, indeed, congenial spirits, and agreed upon one point, that it was
better to make a living by knavery than by doing honest work for honest

wages. Yet there is no harder or more unsatisfactory way of living than this.
Ill-gotten gains seldom benefit the possessor, and the plans of wicked men
often fail altogether.

Gradually the two had drawn near to the claim, and at last drew the

attention of Obed and the boys.

Obed's thin face lighted up with satisfaction as he recognized the man who

had attempted to steal the nugget.

"Good-mornin', squire," he said politely. "You look kind of tired, as if you
was up late last night."

Colson eyed him sharply. "Does he suspect?" thought he. "Yes," he
answered, in an indifferent tone, "I didn't rest very well."

"Where did you pass the night?"