He may find it handy another
time."

"I'll be blessed if I do," growled the unhappy thief.

"I doubt that," said his companion dryly. "However, do as you please. It
don't interest me. I don't think on the whole I will accept your offer
of a partnership. When I take a partner I want a man with some small
supply of brains."

The first looked at him resentfully. He did not like these taunts, and
would have assaulted him had he dared, but the new-comer was powerfully
built, and evidently an unsafe man to take liberties with. He threw
himself back on the pallet and groaned.

"Well," said the second after a pause, "when you've got through crying
over spilt milk, will you kindly tell me where I can get something to
eat?"

"I don't know."

"Humph! that's short and to the point. It is something I would like very
much to know, for my part. I feel decidedly hungry."

"I have no appetite," said the luckless thief mournfully.

"You will have, after a while. Then you can't think of any cabin near by
where we could get a breakfast?"

"There's Joe's.'"

"Where's Joe's?"

"About a mile from here on the road to the camp."

"Are you acquainted with Joe?"

"Yes."

"Is your credit good with him?"

"I think he would trust me for a breakfast."

"And me? You can introduce me as a friend of yours."

"You haven't been talking like a friend of mine," said the first
resentfully.

"Perhaps not. However, you must make allowances for my natural
disappointment. You led me into it, you know."

"If it comes to that, I have done you no harm. Even if the nugget wasn't
real, you had no claim to it."

"You excited my hopes, and that's enough to rile any man--that is, when
disappointment follows. However, there's no use crying over spilt milk.
I have an idea that may lead to something."

"What is it?" asked the thief with some eagerness.

"I will tell you--after breakfast. My ideas don't flow freely when I am
hungry. Come, my friend, get up, and lead the way to Joe's. I have an
aching void within, which needs filling up. Your appetite may come
too--after a walk."

Somehow this man, cool and cynical as he was, impressed his fellow
adventurer, and he rose obediently, and led the way out of the cabin.

"I wish I knew what was your idea," he said.

"Well, I don't mind telling you. I believe the Yankee did find a
nugget."

"Well?"

"You haven't got it, but you may get it--that is, we may get it."

"I don't see how. He will