l
dark. When I ran out of matches to look for his tracks I laid down and
slept in the trail and this morning when I got up I was so stiff and
weak that I couldn't hardly crawl. But I caught the big jasper and
believe me, old-timer, he'll think twice before he robs me again!"

"He will that," nodded Bunker, "but say, tell me this--ain't half of
that money his?"

"Not a bean!" declared Big Boy. "We fought for the purse, the winner to
take it all. He saw I was weak or he'd never have stood up to me--that's
why he was so sore when he lost."

"I'd never've let him hurt you!" protested Old Bunk vehemently, "I had
my gun on him, all the time. And if I'd had my way you'd never have
fought him--I'd have taken the purse away from him."

"Yes, that's it, you see--that's what he was fishing for--he wanted you
to make it a draw! But I knew all the time I could lick him with one
hand--and I did, too, and got the money!"

"You did danged well!" praised Bunker roundly, "I never see a gamier
fight; but I thought at the end he sure had you beat--you could hardly
hold up your hands."

"All a stall!" exclaimed Big Boy proudly. "I began fighting his way at
first, but I saw I was too weak to slug; so, just for a come-on, I
pulled my blows and when he made a swing I downed him."

"Well, well!" beamed Old Bunk, "you certainly are a wise one--you know
how to use your head. I wouldn't have believed it, but if you're as
smart as all that you've got no business working as a miner. You've got
a little stake--why don't you buy a claim and make a play for big money?
Look at the rich men in the West--take Clark and Douglas and
Wingfield--how did they all get their money? Every one of them made it
out of mining. Some started in as bankers, or store-keepers or
saloon-keepers; but they got their big money, just the same as you or I
will, out of a four-by-six hole in the ground. That's the way I dope it
out and I've spent fifteen years of my life just playing that system to
win. Me and old Bible-Back Murray, the store-keeper down in Moroni, have
been working in this district for years; and, sooner or later, one or
the other of us will strike it and we'll pile up our everlasting
fortunes. I hate the Mormon-faced old dastard, he's such a sanctified
old hypocrite, but I always treat him white and if his diamond drill
hits copper he'll make the two of us rich. Anyhow, that's what I'm
waiting for."

Big Boy looked up at the striated hills which lay l