Page 148 - In A New World

"Haven't I seen you at the mines?"

"Yes, I have been there."

"And now you are leaving, are you?"

"I don't know exactly. I haven't made up my mind."

"Well I am. I'm out of luck."

"So am I."

"There's nothing to be done at the mines."

"Just my idea!"

"Humph! what do you think of doing?"

"I don't know. I want to get away for one thing."

"So do I. Suppose we keep company, friend. Two are more social than one,
eh?"

This proposal gave the first man anxious thought. If he had a companion,

he could not hide for any length of time the fact that he was in possession
of the nugget. Yet he did not know how to refuse without exciting
suspicion. The new arrival noticed it, and it stirred up anger in him.

"Perhaps I aint good enough for you?" he said, frowning.

"No, no, it isn't that," said the first eagerly.

"Don't you want me to go with you?" demanded the new arrival bluntly.
"Yes or no."

"Have you got any money?" asked the thief, "because I haven't."