"I think so."
"His claim may be a golden one. Why should we throw a chance away? If he did not believe it to be good, he wouldn't have given twenty ounces for it."
The Welshman saw that Richard was in favour of the stranger's proposition; he was in the habit of practising unselfishness--it was his nature to do so. It would be a pity, perhaps, to throw away the chance. Yet Honest Steve's generosity puzzled him. Never mind, he would do as his mate wished.
"All right, Dick!" he said. "We will join him."
They returned to where Honest Stove was standing. He had been watching them furtively as they held their conference.
"Well, Steve," said Welsh Tom, "we will go mates with you.'"
"Good!" said Honest Steve. "Let us shake hands upon it."
They shook hands; a cold shiver chilled the Welshman's marrow as Honest Steve's hand rested in his.
"Dick," he whispered, as they proceeded towards their new claim, "I feel as if some one was walking over my grave!"