"Promise ter give up cheatin' at cards. If yer don't, some day it will be the death of yer."
"I'll never cheat again."
"All right, I'll take yer at yer word. Now come on down to the river."
"What for?"
"You hev got ter swim across to the other side whar yer belong. Decent folks ain't a-goin' ter have yer over here."
Again Stillwater was much disturbed. But Jack Rasco was firm, and soon the trio were down by the water's edge. Still pale, the gambler plunged into the river and struck out for the opposite shore. It was a hard battle against that current, but presently Rasco and Dick saw him wade out at the other side. He shook his fist at them savagely, then disappeared like a flash into the woods.
"He'll not keep any of his promises," said Dick.
"Keep 'em? Yer didn't expect it o' thet viper, lad? No, he's an enemy to the death. But whar did yer come from, and have yer found out anything about yer poor father?"
Dick's story was soon told, to which Rasco listened with much interest.
"I don't believe a boomer would rob yer father," said he, reflectively. "Like as not it war somebody who followed yer from New York—some man as knew the value of them air minin' deeds."