Spawn
City."

Certainly, for the time being, the mighty had fallen, and their
associates, in the persons of Sunny Oak, Toby Jenks and Sandy Joyce,
had to stand by listening to remarks against their fellow Trust
members which, though distinctly offensive, they yet, in justice, had
to admit were perfectly warranted on the face of things. Even Scipio,
mild little man as he was, had to endure considerable chaff, which
worried and annoyed him, as to the way in which he had succeeded in
bluffing so shrewd a "guy" as Wild Bill into purchasing half his
claim.

But these things were only sidelights on the feelings of the moment.
Expectancy was at fever-heat, and each and every man was wondering
what was about to happen. For though their belief in Bill and Minky
had received a jolt, long months of experience had sown in them an
appreciation that took a power of uprooting.

The Monday and Tuesday passed without development of any sort. There
were several conferences between the members of the Trust, but these
were really only meetings at which the lesser members received more
minute instructions for the carrying out of their duties on the
Wednesday. No information otherwise was forthcoming for them from
either Minky or the president, and all attempt to extort any was
promptly nipped in the bud by the latter without the least compunction
or courtesy.

Sandy resented this attitude. Sunny complained of the lack of
confidence. But Toby sat back immensely enjoying the chagrin of his
two friends, and cordially swore that both Minky and Bill knew a
large-meshed sieve when they saw one.

Tuesday night was a memorable one on Suffering Creek. Never had there
been such a gathering in Minky's store; and his heart must have been
rejoiced to see the manner in which so many of the dollars he had
expended in the purchase of gold-dust came fluttering back to their
nest in his till. The camp appeared to have made up its mind to an
orgy of the finest brand. Drink flowed and overflowed. The store that
night fairly swam in whisky. The flood set in the moment supper was
finished, and from that time until two o'clock in the morning the
lusty storekeeper never had a moment's rest.

Men drank themselves drunk, and drank themselves sober again. There
was no poker or faro. No one wanted to gamble. There was sufficient
gamble in their minds on the subject of to-morrow's stage to satisfy
them for the moment. Would it get through? That was the questio