"Sounds foolish-like, but it's true. I searched ther records, but
it ain't on 'em."

"Maybe he's filed a claim some place else," suggested the
black-mustached man.

"There you go, throwing cold water as usual," snorted Buck Bellew.

"Taint cold water. It's common, ornery hoss sense. That's what it
is. Do you s'pose that any man 'ud be foolish enough to locate a
rich mine an' then not file a claim to it?"

"Heard of sich things been done," commented Red Bill. "Maybe he
ain't over and above anxious fer anyone ter go in alongside of him
afore he's had a chanct ter take up some more land. Maybe--"

"Waal, no use guessing at sich things," rejoined Buck; "fer my part
I guess Red is right. Jim Bell ain't had the hoss sense te file a
claim. And if he ain't--"

"That makes it all the easier fer us. Wonder ef thet feller Juan is
learning much?"

Bill Summers was the speaker.

"He's sharp as a steel trap," volunteered Bellew, "when he wants to
be."

"I guess arter that dressing down you giv' him las' night he'll want
to be, all right," opined the black-mustached man.