“That’s me. Well, what do you say? Are you playing along?”
“Just what is your proposition?”
“We’ll split the treasure two ways—half yours, half mine. You let me get out of the country before you tip government officials. That’s all I ask.”
“No! All of the treasure must be turned over to the proper authorities.”
“You’re a stubborn fool!” Captain Carter asserted angrily. “Okay, if you don’t want to play along, I’ll take all the treasure and you can’t stop me. You and your boys can take your chances on getting out of here alive. Your decision is final?”
“It is.”
“Okay then,” Carter said, lowering his automatic. “If we can’t be friends, then it’s each man for himself, and the Devil catch the hindmost. I’m warning you though—don’t try any tricks either tonight or tomorrow. I’m setting myself up as a ruler, and if you try to interfere, I’ll turn the natives loose on you.”
The captain started to leave. In passing Mr. Livingston, he scrutinized him briefly.
“Fever, eh?” he remarked. “You’ll all be down with it before long.”
“Could you spare me a cigarette?” the Scout leader asked.