“‘So you do. But you are obliged to bring all you get to me, because I know your secret. I need not give you anything if I did not like. You ought to be grateful for the generosity with which I treat you; upon my word, Brown, you are a fortunate fellow.’
“‘More of a fool than that,’ grumbled Brown, who seemed inclined to retaliate, and kick over the traces.
“‘I can’t agree with you, then.’
“‘It don’t much matter whether you do or not. I am pretty well sick and tired of this little game. I have a good mind to leave this land and go to Texas or Mexico.’
“‘At the expense of the Government,’ sneered Wareham.
“‘If I went, you’d go with me,’ said John Brown, fiercely.
“‘Think so? Well, you have a right to form your own opinion.’
“‘I, however, don’t suppose that such a thing is even remotely possible. I am very well satisfied with my native country; I have found you, and you are a source of profit and of income to me. You are what I may call a pearl of great price. I am unwilling to relinquish you. If I did so, I should be like the man who killed the goose that laid the golden eggs. My dear Johannes, you are necessary to my existence.’
“‘You always think of yourself.’
“‘Of course; egotism is the primary duty if not the whole duty of man.’