"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.