"Yes, and slept out a couple of nights in the snow. I know that. But he died of pleurisy, not of the jim-jams."
"Well, have your own way, but nothing will make me believe in that creek. It had too much gold in it," replied Corbett. "And even if I did believe in it, why should I take Lilla's gold? Hasn't she done enough for me already?"
"Perhaps. But if you don't get it for her, I guess someone else will come along and find it for himself."
"Why don't you go for it, Steve, if you believe in it?"
"So I would if Lilla would trust me; but you see Lilla is not spoons on me, and she is on you."
Corbett flushed to the roots of his yellow hair.
"Don't talk rot, Chance, and leave Lilla's name alone."
"I'm not talking rot," said Chance seriously. "But say, Ned, do you mean to marry that girl?"
"Marry your grandmother! I don't mean to marry anyone, and no one is such a fool as to want to marry me."