true character.

Smoothing the blankets over the bear skins, the two friends lay down and
a whispered conversation commenced.

"What were Cummings and Moriarity talking about, Chip?" said Sam, in a
cautious tone.

"Cummings wants to rob the old man, Swanson. He says he's got thousands
of dollars salted somewhere around here and thinks they might as well
make hay while the sun shines, but Dan was afraid to do it."

"What a precious pair of rascals, but we can use this idea first-rate to
get them over the line again."

"I thought of the same thing as they were talking. If you could only
bring it up without awaking any suspicions, we might offer to help him
do the job."

"Trust me for that, old fellow. Even if we have to commit actual
robbery, I'll do it."

"Well, keep your eyes open, and don't be caught sleeping. Go to sleep,
now. I'll keep first watch."

This was the regular system of the two operators. While one slept the
other kept watch and to this fact a large portion of their success was
due.

The ranche became quiet, its denizens all sleeping, and the night passed