eft flank. The other one's yours: I know
it by his make, though I can't lay hold of any sign. Even if I didn't
know him, his bein' in company with mine makes it stand to reason that
it belongs to you."

"I shall be glad to have it again," said Ben, "but we may have a tussle
for them."

"I'm ready," said Jake Bradley, grimly.

By this time they had come to a halt to consider the situation.

"I don't hear anything," said Bradley, listening intently. "I expect the
skunks must be inside. Pray Heaven they haven't harmed poor Dewey!"

Just then Dewey's voice was heard, and they were so near that they could
distinguish his words.

"Well, gentlemen," he said, "how are you getting on? Have you found
anything yet?"

"No, curse it!" responded Mosely. "Suppose you give us a hint."

"Thank you, but I don't see how that's going to benefit me. If you find
the money you mean to take it, don't you?"

"I should say so," answered Tom Hadley, frankly.

Richard Dewey smiled. "I commend your frankness," he said. "Well, you
can't expect a man to assist in robbing himself, can you?"

"You're mighty cool," growled Bill Mosely.

"On the contrary, my indignation is very warm, I assure you."

"Look here, Dewey," said Mosely, pausing: "I'm goin' to make you a
proposition."

"Go on."

"Of course we shall find this gold-dust of yours, but it's rather hard
and troublesome work; so I'll tell you what we'll do. If you'll tell us
where to find it, we'll leave a third of it for you. That'll be square,
won't it? One part for me, one for my pard, and one for you? What do you
say?"

"That you are very kind to allow me a third of what belongs wholly to
me. But even if I should think this a profitable arrangement to enter
into, how am I to feel secure against your carrying off all of the
treasure?"

"You can trust to the honor of a gentleman," laid Mr. William Mosely,
pompously.

"Meaning you?" asked Dewey, with a laugh.

"Meaning me, of course, and when perhaps for myself, perhaps for my pard
also--eh, Tom?"

"I should say so, Bill."

"I've heard there's honor among thieves," said Dewey, smiling, "and this
appears to be an illustration of it. Well, gentlemen, I'm sorry to say I
don't feel that confidence in your honor or your word which would
justify me in accepting your kind proposal."

"Do you doubt my word?" blustered Mosely.

"I feel no doubt on the subject," answered Dewey.

"I accept your apology," said Mosely; "it's luc