"You'll do nothing of the kind," retorted Kells. "You dug for that
gold and it's yours."
"Well, boss, then say a quarter share to you and the same to me--and
divide the rest among the gang."
"No!" exclaimed Kells, violently.
Joan imagined he was actuated as much by justice to Cleve as
opposition to Gulden.
"Jim Cleve, you're a square pard if I ever seen one," declared
Pearce, admiringly. "An' I'm here to say thet I wouldn't hev a share
of your nugget."
"Nor me," spoke up Jesse Smith.
"I pass, too," said Chick Williams.
"Jim, if I was dyin' fer a drink I wouldn't stand fer thet deal,"
added Blicky, with a fine scorn.
These men, and others who spoke or signified their refusal, attested
to the living truth that there was honor even among robbers. But
there was not the slightest suggestion of change in Gulden's
attitude or of those back of him.
"Share and share alike for me!" he muttered, grimly, with those
great eyes upon the nugget.
Kells, with an agile bound, reached the table and pounded it with
his fist, confronting the giant.
"So you say!" he hissed in dark passion. "You've gone too far,
Gulden. Here's where I call you! ... You don't get a gram of that
gold nugget. Jim's worked like a dog. If he digs up a million I'll
see he gets it all. Maybe you loafers haven't a hunch what Jim's
done for you. He's helped our big deal more than you or I. His
honest work has made it easy for me to look honest. He's supposed to
be engaged to marry my daughter. That more than anything was a
blind. It made my stand, and I tell you that stand is high in this
camp. Go down there and swear Blight is Jack Kells! See what you
get! ... That's all. ... I'm dealing the cards in this game!"
Kells did not cow Gulden--for it was likely the giant lacked the
feeling of fear--but he overruled him by sheer strength of spirit.
Gulden backed away stolidly, apparently dazed by his own movements;
then he plunged out the door, and the ruffians who had given silent
but sure expression of their loyalty tramped after him.
"Reckon thet starts the split!" declared Red Pearce.
"Suppose you'd been in Jim's place!" flashed Kells.
"Jack, I ain't sayin' a word. You was square. I'd want you to do the
same by me. ... But fetchin' the girl into the deal--"