"Then, for mercy's sake, don't get amused again," said Alice, deprecatingly. "Why, dear me, I thought the Old Nick and all his couriers had pounced down upon us."
"Well, how do you know but what he has? I may be his Satanic majesty, or one of his envoys."
"I hardly think so; you are too much an earthly being for that. Come, now, take off that detestable mask and let me see what you look like."
"No, indeed! I would not remove this mask, except on conditions, for all the gold yon toiling miners are finding, which, I am satisfied, is no small amount."
"You spoke of conditions. What are they?"
"Some time, perhaps, I will tell you, lady, but not now. See! my men are signaling to me, and I must go. Adieu, ladies;" and in another moment he had wheeled, and was striding back toward camp.
In their concealment the two Filmores witnessed this meeting between Dick and the two girls.
"So there are females here, eh?" grunted the elder, musingly. "From observation I should say that Prince Dick was a comparative stranger here."
"That is my opinion," groaned Clarence, his thoughts reverting to his empty stomach. "Did you hear that laugh a moment ago? It was more like the screech of a lunatic than anything else."
"Yes; he is a young tiger. There is no doubt of that to my mind."